A 16-YEAR-OLD boy died yesterday after he was allegedly circumcised by his older brother at Libode .

Eastern Cape Health Department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the boy was circumcised six days ago at his home at Sibangweni village without his mother’s knowledge .

“She heard screams coming from their room last night (Sunday) but was told by her eldest son, 22, not to worry .” Kupelo said the boy’s mother rushed him to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha yesterday morning when his condition worsened.

“He was dehydrated and the wound was septic.” He said the brother had not been arrested and the police would visit the family to take statements today .

Kupelo said this brought the number of deaths caused by circumcision since last week to 11 .

“We currently have 24 boys admitted to the Mthatha General and five to the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital. They were all admitted last week after being rescued from illegal initiation schools,” Kupelo said.

He said the department and the traditional leaders would embark on an operation on July 3 to rescue initiates from illegal schools and create awareness in the communities. — Sapa