The death toll from South Africa’s 2026 winter customary initiation season has climbed to 35, with dozens more young men injured, abducted or rescued from illegal initiation schools, prompting government to issue an urgent warning to parents and communities.
The latest figures, released by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), reveal that as of 12 July, authorities have recorded 35 deaths, 12 abductions, 75 hospitalisations, 180 rescues, 58 illegal initiation schools, 150 criminal cases and 40 arrests during the current winter initiation season.
The grim statistics have once again shone a spotlight on the dangers posed by illegal initiation schools, unregistered traditional surgeons and criminal activities that continue to claim the lives of young initiates every year.
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa said the latest figures should serve as a wake-up call for everyone involved in customary initiation.
“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,” Hlabisa said.
