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The Deputy Minister for Traditional Affairs Mr. Obed Bapela once again continues to condemn the unfortunate death of the initiates. This is despite the government call to traditional leaders to ensure that in the respective areas there are no illegal schools that are in operation. The call to re-iterating the Zero tolerance to initiation fatalities would be intensified.

Deputy Minister Bapela said “It is saddening to report the increase of the number of death with 1 more reported yesterday in the Eastern Cape area of Mbizana. The total number of young boys that have lost their since the start of the initiation season has risen to 26. The twenty one (21) initiates are from the Eastern Cape, four (4) from Mpumalanga, and one (1) from Western Cape.”

The reported deaths are despite the efforts by the Department of Traditional Affairs, working together with the Department of Health the South African Police Services the National House of Traditional Leaders together with various social stakeholders.

The Deputy Minister Bapela would be undertaking a visit next week Thursday the 10th to the Eastern Cape Province to personally asses the areas that have recorded the high number of deaths, since the launch of the initiation season.

Deputy Minister Bapela commends for the starling work by the police for arresting 7 operators of the illegal schools in the Eastern Cape yesterday, which resulted in the rescuing about 11 initiates. The National Prosecuting Authority would be speeding up prosecution of the arrested owners of illegal schools.


The Department of Traditional Affairs will in the immediate future take the policy on initiation which was consulted upon for adoption. The policy will among others serves as a legislation which will have to enforce the Male Medical Circumcision (MMC), this would be done without interference with the rites, cultural, rituals, customary and traditional affairs matters.  

The policy will identify the authority to register all initiation schools as approved by the Traditional Leaders which will be guided by the norms and standards such as the location, equipment, facilities and conditions and lastly the development of curriculum for the initiates under the guidance National House of Traditional Leaders and other institutions.

“The government cannot watch as our children’s are dying in numbers, this must come to the end” said Deputy Minister Bapela. The Deputy Minister further re-iterated the importance to preserve, respect of culture, customs, traditional practices and not tolerate any abuse.     

To report illegal schools, citizens are encouraged to call:
Department of Health: Collen Bonnecwe 012 395 8021
Department of Traditional Affairs: Modiegi Madiga on 082 822 5878
National House of Traditional Leaders: Kgoshi Mahlangu, on 071 461 0475
CODEFSA Nkululeko Nxesi 072 530 8090

Issued by Department of Communications on behalf of the Department of Traditional Affairs