The government has expressed concern over the number of deaths recorded during the 2026 winter customary initiation school season.
By the time the initiation schools closed, a total of 47 initiates, all male, had died.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni described the fatalities as unacceptable, saying the government was doing everything possible to ensure the safety of initiates.
“Cabinet conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the 47 initiates who lost their lives during the 2026 Winter Customary Initiation Season and wished those injured or still receiving medical treatment a speedy recovery,” Ntshavheni said during a post-Cabinet media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
She said Cabinet welcomed the swift response by law enforcement agencies to incidents of non-compliance.
“Cabinet further welcomed the swift response by law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who contravene customary initiation laws are held accountable. To date, approximately 161 criminal cases have been opened, resulting in the arrest of 41 people. In addition, 42 illegal initiation schools were closed, 181 initiates were rescued and 93 were hospitalised,” Ntshavheni said.
The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs had set 19 July as the deadline for the closure of initiation schools, in consultation with the Department of Basic Education, to accommodate the start of the third term of the 2026 academic year.
However, authorities identified several cases of non-compliance, including seven initiation schools in Sekhukhune, Limpopo, that continued operating beyond the official closing date.
“It is clear that the owners of these schools have no regard for the education of initiates who are still attending school. This is totally unacceptable and government has to act in the best interests of these learners,” said Limpopo MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Basikopo Makamu.
Makamu said his department acted swiftly to shut down the unlawfully operating initiation schools.
The intervention forms part of broader efforts to prevent further loss of life during customary initiation, an important cultural rite of passage practised by several communities across South Africa.
According to the department, four female initiation schools, with a combined total of 127 initiates, and three male initiation schools, with 115 initiates, continued operating beyond the official closing date, prompting a crackdown by provincial authorities.
“Continuing to run initiation schools beyond the stipulated period is a violation of the law. We commend the swift action by SAPS and our monitors,” Makamu said.