Initiation season has kicked off since the summer started and there have already been deaths of initiates that healthcare professionals say could have been prevented.

The Eastern Cape Traditional Affairs Department announced that eight boys died with fears that this count might rise.

According to reports, six of the initiates died as a result of dehydration. Their illegal circumcisions had also caused septic wounds.

In even more bizarre circumstances, one initiate was burned beyond recognition in his hut near Stutterheim, while another died from lung issues.

"It is quite regrettable whilst we send our deepest condolences, but we argue that these deaths should not be happening if parents and communities around these areas were serious about the safety of their children when they are in traditional initiation schools," said the EC MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Zolile Williams told the SABC.

He added that the communities and parents around these areas should be serious about the safety of the initiates when they are in traditional initiation schools.

Williams told the news station that cases have been opened against those behind the illegal initiation schools.

"About 18 surgeons and assistants have already been arrested. We want to enforce the state's authority on those that are not complying with the Act in relation to traditional circumcision.

"That's why once these cases were reported, we immediately acted."

In the wintertime initiation period, 14 initiates died in the province.

Nkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso, Chairperson of the EC House of Traditional and Khoisan Leaders, stated that the continuous deaths are concerns, despite attempts to raise awareness.

"We still experience these deaths so far, but we are monitoring the situation very closely. I must say that we are hoping that it will not escalate, it will not go beyond what has happened thus far," Gwadiso said.

Health-e News said that dehydration is the leading cause of death among initiates, who are reportedly denied water.

A former initiate told the news outlet that they are not given water so that they can heal from the circumcision quicker.

Beatings are also a leading cause of death, as initiates are reportedly battered by men who visit the initiation schools.

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Initiation deaths rise in the Eastern Cape