South Africa clamps down on botched circumcisions

But becoming a man can be a life-threatening business. The ancient ritual has come under fire in recent years as health authorities report serious complications from botched circumcisions by traditional surgeons.

In the Eastern Cape, where circumcision is a source of pride for the Xhosa ethnic group, 12 initiates have died and more than 20 illegal traditional surgeons have been arrested in the last month. According to the provincial health department, nearly 100 youths were hospitalised, while 350 were rescued from "fly-by-night [initiation] schools".

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