Mass Circumcision Ceremony Leaves 39 Boys Dead, Dozens Mutilated in South Africa

A mass circumcision ceremony in South Africa has resulted in the deaths of 39 boys and left dozens more severely mutilated following a series of botched procedures. The ritual, known as *Ulwaluko*, is a traditional initiation ceremony practiced by the Xhosa people to mark the transition from boyhood to manhood, typically performed on boys between the ages of 16 and 26.

Authorities have blamed illegal initiation schools for the majority of the fatalities and injuries. According to Sipho Mahlangu, Deputy Chair of the National House of Traditional Leaders, around 80% of the deaths and mutilations occur at unregistered schools. These illicit operations are often run by untrained individuals using unsanitary tools such as old spears and razor blades.

The government has vowed to crack down on illegal schools, aiming to reduce their number by half — from 429 to fewer than 215 — by 2029. In addition, the Department of Governance and Traditional Affairs had previously set a goal of zero deaths in registered schools by 2025, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

Many of the deaths have been linked to severe dehydration, as boys are reportedly forbidden from drinking water to prevent urination after circumcision. In 2024 alone, complications from the procedure led to 11 penile amputations, underscoring the dire need for stricter oversight and safer practices.

Police have begun shutting down illegal schools as the government intensifies efforts to protect vulnerable youths from these dangerous rites.