The Eastern Cape Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Department has expressed deep concern over the mounting fatalities among initiates.
The situation has led to questions about safety and oversight in initiation schools.
This comes as 20 initiates died during this year’s summer initiation season, currently in its fourth week.
The department’s spokesperson, Pheello Oliphant says that these deaths could have been avoided.
“As of today the 22nd of December 2024, we have a death toll of initiates which is 20, we’re in the fourth week of the six weeks mandatory initiation period.’
“This is regrettable, and these deaths could have been avoided and these deaths can be overcome and can be prevented, only if they can adhere to the rules of initiation, and also eliminating commercialisation of this age old tradition,” he adds.
PODCAST | Interview with Oliphant on SA fm’s The Weekend View Programme regarding initiates’ deaths:
News Digital
www.sabcnews.com