Eleven Boys Die, 51 Hospitalised During Winter Initiation
Eleven boys have tragically lost their lives and more than 50 have been hospitalised during the Eastern Cape’s winter initiation season, raising alarm across the province.
This devastating toll comes despite strong assurances from government officials and traditional leaders that no fatalities would occur this season.
The latest deaths bring the total number of initiation-related fatalities in the province to 264 since 2019, highlighting a persistent crisis that authorities have struggled to curb.
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Most Deaths Linked to Illegal Initiation Schools
Pheello Oliphant, spokesperson for Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Zolile Williams, confirmed the location of the recent fatalities to News24.
“Seven deaths were recorded in the OR Tambo District Municipality, two in the Alfred Nzo District Municipality and another two in the Buffalo City Metro.
“Ten of the deaths occurred at illegal initiation schools,” Oliphant said.
The Cogta National Initiation Oversight Committee reported that 51 initiates were hospitalised, with 42 cases from the OR Tambo area alone.
Criminal Cases and Arrests Mounting
Alongside the tragic deaths and hospitalisations, the committee revealed that 46 criminal cases — mostly related to assault — were opened at various police stations.
Authorities have since made 45 arrests.
Cogta Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa had led multiple engagements earlier this year in an effort to reduce initiation-related deaths, even suggesting the possibility of a commission of inquiry if fatalities persisted.
Traditional Leaders Blame Parents and Rogue Operators
Chairperson of the Eastern Cape House of Traditional Leaders, Chief Mpumalanga Gwadiso, expressed deep frustration over the recurring tragedies.
“Parents are to blame. They did not follow our instructions to take their boys to legal initiation schools. I know some bad incidents do happen at legal sites, but our biggest problems are the illegal ones,” he said.
Gwadiso also condemned the inhumane practice of depriving initiates of drinking water.
“I really do not know where this phenomenon that initiates must be deprived of drinking water comes from. We are appealing to traditional nurses to give initiates, under their supervision, water,” he pleaded.