CoGTA Minister Hlabisa Moves to Clamp Down After 41 Initiation Deaths

Decisive measures to curb deaths

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Velenkosini Hlabisa, has announced intensified and expanded decisive measures to curb deaths, injuries and illegal practices during the current customary initiation season, following the tragic loss of 41 initiates across affected provinces.

According to the report to Hlabisa dated 28 December 2025, the Eastern Cape recorded 21 deaths and 201 hospitalisations while 5102 were treated on site.

OR Tambo recorded the highest number of deaths with seven deaths, followed by Amathole with five.

Chris Hani district has four deaths, while Buffalo City Metropolitan and Alfred Nzo districts recorded three and two deaths respectively.

No deaths were reported in Sarah Baartman, Joe Gqabi and Nelson Mandela Bay.

The causes of deaths

The causes of deaths range from dehydration, cardiac failure, aspiration due to epileptic fit, pulmonary embolism, suicide by hanging, septicaemia, lightning, drowning and one case of injuries due to assualt in Nyandeni.Hlabisa expressed deep concern at the continued loss of young lives and reaffirmed government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives, dignity and well-being of all initiates.

“These deaths are preventable and have been declared unacceptable,” he said.

The strengthened interventions follow two high-level engagements convened by Hlabisa on 23 December 2025 and 28 December 2025.

These meetings brought together Cabinet Ministers

These meetings brought together Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers and Members of Executive Councils serving as District Development Model (DDM) Champions, local government councillors, the South African Police Service (SAPS), traditional leaders, officials from national and provincial departments, the justice sector, and civil society organisations. Continuous engagement remains in place to ensure coordinated and urgent implementation of agreed interventions.

“As part of immediate consequence management, law enforcement agencies have effected 41 arrests linked to initiation-related offences. Authorities have also uncovered cases where parents deliberately falsified their children’s ages to enable underage boys to undergo initiation. Government has strongly condemned these actions and emphasised that parents and guardians who knowingly place children at risk will face criminal prosecution,” he said.

There will be greater enforcement

Hlabisa said to strengthen accountability and prevent underage initiation, from the winter 2026 customary initiation season, there will be greater enforcement of the requirement that parents and guardians sign a formal consent declaration confirming that the initiate is 16 years or older, as prescribed by law.

“Any false declaration will constitute a criminal offence and will be prosecuted accordingly. Local courts in affected provinces will be requested to prioritise initiation-related cases, ensuring swift justice, visible consequence management and a strong deterrent against illegal and unsafe initiation practices,” he said.

He added that compulsory registration of all traditional surgeons will be enforced.

“Parents or guardians who take initiates to unregistered traditional surgeons will be arrested and charged in line with the Customary Initiation Act.”

Hlabisa further raised serious concern over ongoing reports of severe injuries and amputations at initiation schools.

Some incidents are linked to illegal schools and unregistered practitioners

“While some incidents are linked to illegal schools and unregistered practitioners, negligence has also been identified as a contributing factor to deaths and injuries even at legally registered initiation schools,” he said.

He said failure to adhere to prescribed health, safety and care standards will not be tolerated, and decisive action, including criminal prosecution, will be taken against those responsible.

“Parents who knowingly expose their children to negligent or unsafe conditions will also be held accountable.

“Despite some initiation schools being legally registered, challenges persist where schools operate in deep and remote bush areas, limiting effective monitoring and emergency access,” he said.

Schools will be identified through intelligence-driven operations

He added that these schools will be identified through intelligence-driven operations and shut down where necessary through coordinated intergovernmental enforcement.

“A critical and recurring cause of death remains dehydration. Government has reiterated that the deliberate denial of water is unlawful and life-threatening. Adequate hydration is essential for healing and survival, particularly during extreme weather conditions. Any initiation practice that restricts access to water will not be tolerated,” warned Hlabisa.

He emphasised that while customary initiation is a respected cultural practice, it must never endanger human life.

The right to life and dignity is non-negotiable

“Culture cannot be used to justify negligence, abuse or criminality. The right to life and dignity is non-negotiable,” Hlabisa said.

“Government has reaffirmed that ending initiation-related deaths requires an all-of-government and all-of-society approach, grounded in respect for culture, strict enforcement of the law and active parental responsibility,” he said.