By Nkhensani Chauke
Zweli Mkhize, chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), has called for decisive action in response to deaths and mutilations linked to customary initiation practices.
COGTA received a briefing from the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs on its revised targets within the 2025/2030 strategic plan.
These targets include eliminating all illegal customary initiation schools (from 429 in 2024 to zero by 2029), reducing amputations in legal initiation schools to zero (down from 15 in 2024), and achieving zero deaths from legal initiation practices (down from 63 in 2024).
Mkhize commended these updated targets.
He stressed that achieving zero deaths and mutilations is not only a departmental imperative but a societal obligation requiring collaboration across various departments.
“This must be a focused, coordinated response. We cannot treat this as business as usual. The goal of zero deaths and zero mutilations is not symbolic. It is a constitutional and moral obligation,” said Mkhize.
COGTA raised concerns about resource availability to meet these targets and the planned interventions, stressing that budget constraints should not justify policy failures.
“No death should be tolerated due to budget constraints. We must innovate and collaborate where capacity is lacking,” Mkhize said.
Delegates from COGTA underscored the pivotal role of community structures, emphasising the involvement of traditional councils and local partnerships to ensure the safe and dignified practice of cultural rites.
COGTA also advocated for a multi-departmental approach involving the Ministers of Health, Social Development, SAPS, Justice, and relevant Premiers to identify gaps, foster collective accountability, and ensure meaningful contributions from each department towards achieving the targets.
“After consultations, COGTA will call for a coordinated response, inviting stakeholders to report on progress towards the zero-death target and address systemic weaknesses,” Mkhize said.
Highlighting the importance of community-level partnerships, including traditional councils and local committees, COGTA reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting customary initiation as a proud rite of passage.
“When we aim for zero deaths and zero mutilations, we uphold the sanctity of life. We owe it to every child, every community to make that promise a reality,” Mkhize said.
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