Abstract

Context: The practice of culture is to protect people and preserve life. No culture allowed becoming a danger to human beings, sacrificing young lives year after year. The community keeps turning a blind eye to one death after the other because of tradition and culture. Objective: The main objective of the study was to describe the deaths that occurred between 2004 and 20014 due to traditional circumcisions. method: This is a record review descriptive study. The data were collected from the Forensic Pathology Laboratory of Hospital Complex from 2004 to 2014. results: A hundred and fifty-five cases of circumcision-related deaths were reported over a period of 11 years (2004-14) in the region of South Africa. The causes of death included septicaemia (66-42.6%), blunt trauma (6-3.9%), dehydration (4-2.6%), renal failure (3-1.9%), hypothermia (2-1.2%), and pulmonary thrombo-embolism (2-1.2%). conclusions: Death due to circumcision is unethical and unacceptable conduct due to unacceptable cultural practices. This practice must be banned. A strong political message needs to be sent to the community as well as to the practitioners of circumcision.

• 1.   SAPA. Half a million successful traditional circumcisions in KZN. The Citizen. citizen. co.za/.../half-million-successful-traditionalcircumcisions-kzn (Accessed on 3.06.2021).
• 2.   Wilcken A, Keil T, Dick B. Traditional male circumcision in eastern and southern Africa: A systematic review of prevalence and complications. Bull World Health Organ.2010; 88(12):907-14.
• 3.   Mogotlane SM, Ntlangulela JT, Ogunbanjo BG. Mortality and morbidity among traditionally circumcised Xhosa boys in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Curationis, 2004; 27(2):57-62.
• 4.   Kepe T. ‘Secrets’ that kill: Crisis, custodianship and responsibility in ritual male circumcision in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. SocSci Med. 2010; 70(5):729-35.
• 5.   Meissner O, Buso DL. Traditional male circumcision in the Eastern Cape - Scourge or blessing? S Afr Med J. 2007; 97(5):371-3.
• 6.   Rijken D. South African traditional leaders attack graphic male circumcision website. Mail and Guardian, Wednesday 29 January 2014. Website: http://www.the guardian.com/world/2014/jan/29/Southafrica-doctor-website-botched (accessed 02.06.2021).
• 7.   Peltzer K, Nqeketo A, Petros G, Kanta X. Traditional circumcision during manhood initiation rituals in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: A pre-post intervention evaluation. BMC Public Health.2008; 8:64.
• 8.   Meel BL. Traditional male circumcision related fatalities in Mthatha area of South Africa. Med Sci Law. 2010; 50(4):189-91.
• 9.   Vincent L. ‘Boys will be boys’: Traditional Xhosa male circumcision, HIV and sexual socialisation in contemporary South Africa. Cult Health Sex.2008; 10(5):431-46.
• 10.   Banwari M. Dangerous to mix: Culture and politics in a traditional circumcision in South Africa. Afr Health Sci.2015; 15 (1):283- 7.
• 11.   Meel B. Witchcraft in Transkei region of South Africa: Case report. African Health Sciences, 2009; 9(1):61-64.
• 12.   Mayatula V, Mavundla TR. A review on male circumcision procedures among South African blacks. Curationis.1997; 20(3):16-20.
• 13.   Mavundla TR, Netswera FG, Bottoman B, Toth F. Rationalization of indigenous male circumcision as a sacred religious custom: Health beliefs of Xhosa men in South Africa. J Transcult Nurs.2009; 20(4):395-404.
• 14.   Shenfeld OZ, Ad-EI D. Penile reconstruction after complete glans amputation during ritual circumcision. Harefuah. 2000; 139(9):352-4.
• 15.   Meel BL. Suicide among teenagers and young adults in the Transkei. Case reports. Anil Aggrawal’s Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 2004; 5(2):1-4. http://www.geradts.com/anil/ij/vol_005_ no_002/papers/paper003.html (accessed 29.06.2015).
• 16.   SABC News. Traditional circumcision questioned in the Eastern Cape: Friday 10 July 2015. http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/ b8864700490eb38fb2dfbb70b5a2a8d2/ circumcision-question (Accessed on 03.06.2021).
• 17.   Meel BL. Community perception of traditional circumcision in a sub-region of the Transkei, Eastern Cape, South Africa. SA Fam Pract.2005; 47(6):58-59. 18. Occonor M. Circumcision in Western Cape is much safer. Die Burger. 1 September 2015.
• 19.   Lim L. Painful Memories for China’s Foot binding Survivors. http://www. npr.org/templates/story/story. php?storyId=8966942 (accessed on 05.06.2021)

Data Sharing Statement

Funding