Government pledges action following initiation deaths

By Levy Masiteng 

This summer’s initiation season in the Eastern Cape claimed 29 young lives, with two penile amputations and 147 hospital admissions also reported. 

Seven deaths were recorded in the OR Tambo. Among the causes were dehydration and septicaemia.

The Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs was told that the deaths occurred at both illegal and legal initiation schools, with some initiates dying from assault-related injuries.

The committee was briefed by the Eastern Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee and CoGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa.

He revealed that between 2016 and 2024, 371 initiation-related deaths and 110 amputations were recorded.

Committee chairperson Zweli Mkhize described these figures as “too ghastly”.

He said the deaths were seriously concerning.

“The custom is an age-old custom that has no reason to be a source of death. We must get to a point where there are consequences for wrongdoing and negligence and ensure