The Times reports that botched circumcisions performed on young boys in the Pondoland area of South Africa by unregistered “traditional” doctors have continued to cause complications that lead to death. The province law says only boys older than 17 can be circumcised but younger boys are exposed to risk.

Since the start of the winter circumcision season, boys had been brought into health facilities in “terrible condition”, most were dehydrated and some faced gangrene setting into their wounds.

Gangrene, let alone dehydration, should be giant clues here. In other words, the causes of death after surgery seem to be known and preventable.

Better regulation of the medical practices comes to mind as a step. I say better because it actually could be the strict enforcement of the post-17 law that leads to young boys circumcised without simple and effective medical procedures.

Circumcision of newborns that are already in a clean and healthy environment would remove the demand for the practice later. Education and training might also be a crucial area, especially when you consider who is allowed (hired?) to perform surgery, and the reference to tradition:

A 14-year-old boy was arrested in the Ngqeleni area of Transkei after performing illegal circumcisions on six youths, says the Eastern Cape health department.

[…]

“This really calls for community members, traditionalists, to re-look at this thing, because it’s no longer a customary ritual, it’s something else: boys just doing as they wish.”

I agree. I doubt tradition or custom is really what is at stake here. Since demand for circumcision is high, why not provide it earlier with a safe environment and remove the risk of these illegal and dangerous procedures later? The articles do not say.