Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has expressed deep concern over the deaths of 35 initiates during the 2026 winter customary initiation season, describing the continued loss of life as unacceptable.
Preliminary figures released by Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees also show that 75 initiates were hospitalised, while 180 boys were rescued from illegal initiation schools. Authorities have further recorded 12 initiation-related abductions during the season.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) said more needs to be done to eliminate preventable deaths, injuries and criminal activity linked to the traditional practice.
Department spokesperson Pearl Maseko-Binqose said Minister Hlabisa has warned that those operating illegal initiation schools will face the full might of the law.
"Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa warned that those operating illegal schools will face the full force of the law and called on families, traditional leaders, communities and all other stakeholders to work together to prevent further tragedies and to protect the lives, dignity and safety of every initiate," she said.
According to the preliminary figures, authorities identified 58 illegal initiation schools during the winter season, with 42 already shut down. Law enforcement agencies have also opened 150 criminal cases linked to initiation-related offences, resulting in 40 arrests.
Hlabisa extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and wished those recovering from injuries a speedy recovery.
He urged parents and guardians to ensure that children attend only legally registered initiation schools and to verify that traditional surgeons and traditional nurses are properly authorised before allowing initiates to participate.
The minister also condemned the continued operation of illegal initiation schools, saying they undermine the cultural significance of initiation and are responsible for many of the deaths, injuries, kidnappings and cases of abuse reported each year.
He reiterated that government would continue working with traditional leaders, law enforcement agencies, healthcare workers, municipalities and local communities to achieve its goal of "zero deaths, zero injuries and zero illegal initiation schools."
"Every initiate deserves to return home safely and with their dignity intact," Hlabisa said.