Minister confirms 35 deaths and 75 hospitalisations during 2026 winter initiation season

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa confirmed that 35 initiates have died during the 2026 winter customary initiation season, and that 75 initiates have been hospitalised, the minister said on Monday, July 13.

Summary of incidents and official figures

Hlabisa said the figures come from preliminary reports received from Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees (PICCs) as of July 12, 2026. Those reports recorded: 12 abductions, 58 illegal initiation schools operating (of which 42 have now been closed), 180 initiates rescued, 75 hospitalisations and three assault cases. Law enforcement agencies have opened 150 criminal cases, resulting in 40 arrests.

Government response and call for collective action

Hlabisa said he was deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and incidents during the season and emphasised that customary initiation should be practised in ways that protect dignity, health and lives. He warned that illegal initiation schools undermine the practice and are responsible for many of the reported deaths, injuries, kidnappings and abuses.

“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,”

He reiterated that safety is a shared responsibility and said the government cannot eliminate the tragedies alone. Hlabisa listed families, traditional leaders, communities, law enforcement agencies, healthcare professionals, municipalities, educators and other stakeholders as necessary partners in safeguarding the practice.

Advice to parents and legal framework

Hlabisa urged parents and guardians to ensure children attend only legally registered initiation schools and to verify that the school, traditional surgeon and traditional nurse are authorised under the law. He said parents should remain involved during the initiation process and report suspicious or illegal activities to authorities, adding that parental neglect and failure to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools place young lives at risk.

“Individuals who establish, facilitate or participate in illegal initiation schools must understand that they are committing criminal offences and will face the full might of the law.”

He referenced the Customary Initiation Act as providing the legislative framework to regulate customary initiation, requiring registration of schools, establishing Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees and providing for oversight, inspections and enforcement measures.

Coordination and enforcement efforts

Hlabisa commended Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees, traditional leaders, the South African Police Service, provincial departments, municipalities, emergency medical services and community stakeholders for monitoring, inspections, awareness campaigns and enforcement operations. He said coordinated efforts have resulted in the closure of illegal schools, the rescue of initiates and the arrest of offenders.

Goals and final appeal

Hlabisa called on South Africans to reject practices that endanger lives while protecting the cultural heritage of customary initiation, saying:

“Respect for tradition must go hand in hand with respect for the law and every initiate’s constitutional rights to life, dignity and safety.”

He said the government remains committed to working with traditional leaders, families, communities and stakeholders to achieve zero deaths, zero injuries and zero illegal initiation schools, and added:

“Every initiate deserves to return home safely and with their dignity intact. This requires all of us to play our part.”