By Thapelo Molefe
The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has pledged to take decisive action to prevent the unnecessary deaths of initiates, following a meeting with traditional leaders and government officials.
Committee chairperson Zweli Mkhize emphasised the need for collective responsibility and accountability to address the persistent problem of initiate deaths, particularly in the Eastern Cape.
“The deaths of initiates are unacceptable and must be stopped. We need to bring this matter to closure,” Mkhize said this week.
“The core objective remains the same: to ensure the safety and well-being of initiates. We need to work together to prevent these unnecessary deaths, which are largely caused by negligence and can be prevented.”
The meeting highlighted the complexity of the issue, citing variations in customary practices across different regions. However, Mkhize stressed that legislative amendments to empower local traditional leaders were crucial.
“There has to be an understanding that it’s the same custom, but it’s
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