By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Thirty-five initiates have died during the 2026 winter customary initiation season, while 75 others have been admitted to hospital, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said.
Preliminary reports submitted by Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees showed that the deaths and other incidents had been recorded by Sunday, 12 July.
Authorities had also recorded 12 abductions, three assault cases and one injury, while 180 initiates had been rescued.
Cogta said 58 illegal initiation schools had been opened during the season, of which 42 had since been closed.
Law enforcement agencies had opened 150 criminal cases linked to the initiation season, resulting in 40 arrests.
“These figures are deeply concerning and serve as a stark reminder that much more must be done collectively to eliminate preventable deaths, injuries and criminal activities associated with customary initiation,” Cogta minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said.
Hlabisa offered his condolences to families
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