Teen sues father after forced circumcision

AN EASTERN Cape student is suing his father and traditional leaders in a landmark court case after he was abducted and violently circumcised last year.

In court papers filed at the Bhisho High Court Division of the Equality Court this week, Bonani Yamani recounted how he became embroiled in a collision between individual rights and tradition .

Yamani, from Masele township near King William’s Town , was pressured by his father, Lindile Yamani, to undergo ritual circumcision when he turned 18 in 2006. Yamani did not wish to undergo the traditional rite, citing his Christian beliefs.

After continued pressure, the youngster agreed to have his foreskin removed, at the Frere Hospital in December 2006. However, three months later, his father and 10 other men allegedly abducted Yamani from his home at 4am, tied him up, subjected him to further circumcision — and forced him to eat skin cut from his penis.

“(Yamani) told the men he had been circumcised and showed them his penis. One of them mocked the circumcision and said words to the effect: ‘We are going to have to cut, we need blood,’” the court heard .

Speaking to the Sunday Times, Yamani said: “The worst has occurred. Although I am not in a position to discuss the details, I wish people can understand my intentions by going to court.”

Yamani is against traditional circumcision because he believes the spilling of blood represents a covenant between parties. He maintains that he has entered a covenant with Jesus Christ, and not with his ancestors.

“All I am trying to do is protect those who have religious beliefs similar to mine, not to be subjected to such humiliation.

“Young people must be protected by the laws of our country. They must be able to choose whether they would like to go to the bush or not,” he said.

Circumcision is an important part of Xhosa initiation, and marks a young man’s passage from ubukhwenkwe (boyhood) to ubudoda (manhood).