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By Mayibongwe Maqhina 
December 29, 2020
Cape Town – COOPERATIVE Minister for Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, said there was a strong presentation from the Eastern Cape government, traditional leaders and many people calling for circumcision to be allowed.
Dlamini Zuma was answering the question of why the government allowed circumcisions to be performed in the Eastern Cape during the shutdown.
The rite has been banned after the country moved to level 3 after only the Eastern Cape was allowed during level one, except for Nelson Mandela Bay and Sarah Baartman District.
Dlamini Zuma said there were consultations with the Health Department and the government at large when the rite was allowed.
“Strict protocols were in place. The Eastern Cape Government, in collaboration with traditional leaders and other stakeholders, developed a plan to ensure that health protocols will be followed.”
Dlamini Zuma also said that imigidi and ceremonies held after the rite had been banned.
“At that time, the numbers were not what they are. That is why the numbers are increasing so the government has made the decision to stop the initiation,” he said.
“They were allowed to enter the Eastern Cape. Now it has been stopped because the situation has really changed.”
He said that only those already in the initiation schools would be allowed to finish. Otherwise, it was no longer allowed.
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