The death toll during South Africa’s 2026 Winter Customary Initiation Season has risen to 35, prompting Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa to call for stronger collaboration to prevent further tragedies.
Hlabisa expressed deep concern over the increasing number of deaths, injuries and criminal incidents linked to the 2026 Winter Customary Initiation Season.
According to preliminary reports from Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees as of 12 July 2026, 35 initiates have died, while 12 abduction cases have been recorded.
Authorities have also identified 58 illegal initiation schools operating across the country. Of these, 42 have been shut down, with 180 initiates rescued. A further 75 initiates have been hospitalised, while officials have recorded three assault cases and one injury.
Law enforcement agencies have opened 150 criminal cases related to the initiation season, leading to 40 arrests.
Reacting to the latest figures, Hlabisa stressed that while customary initiation remains an important cultural tradition that marks the transition to adulthood, it must be practised in a way that safeguards the lives, health and dignity of every initiate.
“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,” said Hlabisa.
The minister extended his condolences to families who have lost their sons and wished those receiving medical treatment a speedy recovery.
He emphasised that protecting initiates is a shared responsibility that requires stronger cooperation between government, traditional leaders, parents, communities, healthcare professionals, municipalities, educators and law enforcement agencies.
“Success depends on stronger collaboration between families, traditional leaders, communities, law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, municipalities, educators and all stakeholders entrusted with safeguarding this sacred cultural practice,” he said.
Hlabisa also condemned the continued operation of illegal initiation schools, saying they undermine the integrity of customary initiation and contribute significantly to deaths, kidnappings, assaults and other forms of abuse reported each year.
He urged parents and guardians to ensure that their children attend only legally registered initiation schools.
The minister noted that the Customary Initiation Act provides a comprehensive legal framework for regulating initiation schools, protecting initiates and preserving the cultural integrity of the practice through registration, inspections and enforcement measures.
He said COGTA will continue working with Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees and other stakeholders to strengthen monitoring, enforcement and public awareness throughout the remainder of the winter initiation season.
