Harmful traditional practices, (male circumcision - Electronic Thesis ...

21
Traditional leaders have argued that traditional male circumcision is part of their
culture and that section 31 of the Constitution allows for the participation of
individuals in cultural practices of their choice. 48
2.2 The potential ‘harm’ associated with circumcisions.
Some of the physical consequences that may result from circumcisions may be
summarized as follows:
(1) Haemorrhage due to the crossing of many veins in the penis, which, if left
undetected, can be fatal,
(2) Infection, since the injury caused by circumcision may be exposed to urine
and faeces thus provoking infection,
(3) Urinary infection which can be caused by the trauma of the operation,
(4) Necrosis of the glans which is the death of body tissue due to an
overly tight bandage over the wound,
(5) Injury and loss of glans,
(6) Excessive penile skin loss, the damage depending on the quantity of skin
removed,
(7) External deformity of the penis since the healing of the wound may result in
an unpleasant external appearance,
(8) Loss of penis which may be due to infection,
(9) Death, depending on the severity of some of the injuries listed above. 49
The problem with ritual circumcisions in South Africa is the number of fatalities
resulting from botched circumcisions and the spreading of sexually transmitted
48
Author unknown, “National House of Traditional Leaders (NHTL) submissions on the Children’s
Bill (B 70B – 2003)” at p 1 - 2. Available online at
http://www.pmg.org.za/docs/2005/05101lnh+1.htm. Accessed on 31 August 2006.
49
Nyaundi PM, “Circumcision and the rights of the Kenyan boy-child”, African Human Rights Law
Journal, Vol. 5 1 2005 at 176.