Three die in first days in the bush

THE winter initiation season was officially launched last week and already three deaths have been recorded in the Eastern Cape.

All the deaths are within the King Sabata Dalindyebo (KSD) Municipality in and around Mthatha.

Two of the initiates died between Sunday and Monday – just days after national and provincial government as well as the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders launched the official start of the winter initiation season in Mthatha on Friday.

The first death was reported in Upper Ngqwarha Village in Mqanduli a week before the launch.

The victims ranged between the ages of 16 and 18.

The first death was 17-year-old Nkosinathi Gabhayi, of Springvale, in Viedgesville near Mthatha.

Someleze Lusasa, 18, of Tabase village, near Mthatha, died on Saturday night at an Mthatha hospital.

Thando Mthandaba, 17, of Mandela Park near Mthatha, died at Qweqwe Village near Mthatha at about 3am on Monday. – Lulamile Feni