Durban – Once again, tradition is on a collision course with health and safety and human rights: a preliminary report on the Winter Customary Initiation Season reveals that 35 initiates have lost their lives and 12 abductions have been reported.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa today, Monday, 13 July 2026, expressed “deep concern over the continued loss of lives and abduction incidents during this Winter Customary Initiation Season.
While customary initiation remains a respected cultural practice that marks the transition to adulthood, Minister Hlabisa has called for this tradition to be practised in a manner that protects the dignity, health and lives of every initiate.
Preliminary reports received from Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees (PICCs) as of 12 July 2026 indicate as follows:
- 35 initiates have lost their lives,
- 12 abductions have been reported,
- 58 illegal initiation schools were opened (42 now closed),
- 180 initiates have been rescued,
- 75 initiates have been hospitalised,
- 3 assault cases,
- 1 injury has been reported,
- Law enforcement agencies have opened 150 criminal cases, resulting in 40 arrests
“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,” Minister Hlabisa said.
He extended his heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their sons and wishes a speedy recovery to those who have been injured or remain hospitalised.
Minister Hlabisa reiterates that the safety of initiates is a shared responsibility.
He said the government alone cannot eliminate these tragedies. \
Minister Hlabisa said “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.
Parents and guardians have a critical role to play.
They must ensure that their children attend only legally registered initiation schools and must satisfy themselves that the school, traditional surgeon and traditional nurse are duly authorised in accordance with the law.
Parents should remain actively involved throughout the initiation process and report any suspicious or illegal activities to the relevant authorities. Parental neglect and the failure to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools place young lives at unnecessary risk.
The Minister further condemns the continued operation of illegal initiation schools, which he said undermine the integrity of customary initiation and are responsible for many of the deaths, injuries, kidnappings and abuses reported each year.
Individuals who establish, facilitate or participate in illegal initiation schools are committing criminal offences and will face the full might of the law.
The Customary Initiation Act provides a comprehensive legislative framework to regulate customary initiation, protect initiates and preserve the cultural integrity of the practice.
The Act requires the registration of initiation schools, establishes Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees, and provides for oversight, inspections and enforcement measures against those who violate its provisions.
The Minister commends the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees, traditional leaders, the South African Police Service, provincial departments, municipalities, emergency medical services and community stakeholders for their ongoing monitoring, inspections, awareness campaigns and enforcement operations throughout the season.
These coordinated efforts have resulted in the closure of illegal schools, the rescue of initiates and the arrest of offenders, demonstrating the value of a united, multi-sectoral response.
Minister Hlabisa called on all South Africans to reject practices that endanger lives while protecting the cultural heritage of customary initiation.
“Respect for tradition must go hand in hand with respect for the law and every initiate’s constitutional rights to life, dignity and safety,” Minister Hlabisa said.
“Government remains committed to working with traditional leaders, families, communities and all stakeholders to achieve zero deaths, zero injuries and zero illegal initiation schools.
“Every initiate deserves to return home safely and with their dignity intact. This requires all of us to play our part.” .
COGTA will continue working closely with Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees and all relevant stakeholders to strengthen monitoring, enforcement and public awareness throughout the remainder of the winter initiation season.
