Leaders of traditional communities in the Eastern Cape have expressed serious concern regarding the increase in deaths among initiates during the winter initiation season in the province. According to a preliminary report from the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), 14 deaths have been registered so far.
The report indicates that the causes of death among initiates include dehydration, septicemia, attacks, and neglect of their needs. Special attention is drawn to illegal initiation schools, which do not adhere to established traditional circumcision rules and are a significant contributing factor to the tragedy.
The Eastern Cape recorded the second-highest number of deaths in the country, surpassed only by the Mpumalanga province, where 18 initiates died during the rite of passage. Overall across South Africa, the total number of victims reached 43 during the 2026 winter season. Furthermore, authorities recorded 12 cases of abduction and identified 58 illegal initiation schools, of which 42 were closed.
According to the Cogta report, 180 initiates were rescued, 75 people were hospitalized, and three attack cases and one injury case were registered. Law enforcement agencies opened 150 criminal cases, leading to the arrest of 40 people, according to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
The Minister of Cogta, Velenkosini Khlabisa, called for closer cooperation among all stakeholders. He stated that the figures presented cause deep concern and serve as a reminder of the need for collective efforts to eliminate preventable deaths, injuries, and criminal activities associated with traditional initiation. Khlabisa warned that individuals who establish, facilitate, or participate in illegal initiation schools are committing criminal offenses and will face the full force of the law.
The Chairperson of the Provincial Initiation Coordination Committee, Nkosi Gwasinama Mtanzima, expressed deep disappointment over the loss of youth despite thorough preparation for the season. He noted that while there are many factors, one of the main problems is the lack of responsibility on the part of some parents. In places like Port St Johns, protests occurred, preventing supervisory checks aimed at protecting children, many of whom attended illegally operating schools.
The Cogta report showed that the Or Tambo district registered the highest number of fatalities, with seven initiates dying in the local municipalities of Port St Johns, Mkhonto, Ngqwa Hill, and Nyandeneeni. Mtanzima reported that the committee will hold intervention meetings in affected areas after the initiation season concludes. He also emphasized the need to change the approach in the Mpondo regions, where parents are uninvolved because children report they are not attending the initiation school, and proposed holding community meetings (imbizos) in these communities for direct engagement with the youth.
The Cogta MEC, Zolile Williams, also called for an end to illegal initiation practices. The department representative, Pheelo Olifant, conveyed that the MEC is extremely concerned about the recurring deaths, urging those responsible for illegal schools and practices to stop, as these deaths are preventable but continue due to illegal and irresponsible behavior.
Due to the heatwave, the Main Health Directorate has raised the alert level to orange, which requires increasing the level of readiness in hospitals. The maximum alert level has already been introduced in the city of Braga.
As there is an increase in emergency room visits and temperatures are staying above 40 degrees in the coming days, the risk of serious conditions and even increased mortality is rising. As a result, planned surgeries and consultations have been postponed, and an additional 35 beds have been allocated, teams mobilized, and patient discharges accelerated.
The Minister of Health acknowledges that such a situation could spread to other facilities after the Main Health Directorate raised the alert level to orange. Carlos Cortes, head of the sanitary service, received guarantees from all clinical directors in the country during his visit to the Castelo Branco hospital that the institutions are prepared for such conditions.
Weeks ago, the functioning of the SNS24 and INEM lines was strengthened, and close cooperation with Civil Protection and local authorities was established, who intensified calls to the public to follow the recommendations of health authorities and ensure their own protection.
