- Mpumalanga recorded 18 initiation-related deaths this year. The Eastern Cape recorded 14 such deaths, while North West recorded four.
- The CRL Rights Commission has set up an independent Section 7 Investigative Committee to look into the 43 initiation-related deaths recorded across the country in 2026.
- The inquiry will examine illegal initiation schools, failures in governance, organised criminal groups and shortcomings in enforcing the law.
Mpumalanga has overtaken the Eastern Cape as the province with the highest number of initiation-related deaths, prompting an independent investigation into illegal initiation schools, criminal syndicates and regulatory failures.
Mpumalanga has recorded the highest number of initiation-related deaths in South Africa for the first time, with 18 fatalities this year, prompting the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) to establish an independent Section 7 Investigative Committee.
The committee will investigate the continued deaths and abuses associated with customary initiation schools following the 43 initiation-related fatalities recorded across the country in 2026.
Addressing a media briefing, CRL Rights Commission Chairperson Thoko Mkhwanazi Xaluva said they remained deeply concerned by the continued loss of young lives during what should be a sacred cultural rite of passage.
She acknowledged the pain experienced by families who have lost loved ones during initiation and said the inquiry aims to restore dignity, safety and public confidence in the practice.
Mpumalanga overtakes Eastern Cape
CRL Rights Commission Deputy Chairperson Prince Mahlangu said the committee would begin its work on 7 August 2026 and independently investigate the systemic failures contributing to fatalities and abuses at initiation schools.
Statistics presented during the briefing showed that Mpumalanga recorded 18 initiation-related deaths this year, followed by the Eastern Cape with 14 and North West with four.
"For the first time, Mpumalanga is leading the country in initiation deaths. That should alarm every South African. This cannot become our new normal," Mahlangu said. "We are determined to identify the failures, strengthen oversight and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice before another initiation season claims more lives."
Mahlangu said the leading causes of death remain severe dehydration, advanced septicaemia, untreated infections, exposure to extreme winter conditions and botched circumcisions, highlighting the urgent need for stricter compliance with safety standards and improved medical oversight.
Illegal schools under investigation
Mahlangu stressed that the inquiry would not interfere with customary initiation practices but would instead target criminality, negligence and regulatory failures.
"This investigation is not an attack on the sacred institution of customary initiation. We will not interfere with cultural practices or sacred rituals. Our focus is criminality, negligence and regulatory failures that continue to claim innocent lives," he said.
He added: "We will thoroughly investigate the systemic breakdowns, expose criminal syndicates operating illegal schools and ensure that our recommendations lead to accountability."
The commission said the investigation would focus on governance failures, criminal syndicates operating illegal initiation schools and weaknesses in enforcing existing legislation rather than customary practices themselves.
Previous interventions
Mahlangu outlined the commission's previous interventions to address challenges within customary initiation. He said reports of deaths, abductions and criminal activity in Gauteng had previously led to the suspension of initiation schools for two years, while restrictions in the Sedibeng region were later extended for another year because of ongoing concerns.
He warned that the commission was now witnessing a worrying regression in Gauteng, where earlier interventions had successfully reduced the number of illegal initiation schools. He also raised concern about an increase in reported abductions, particularly in North West.
The commission has conducted public hearings in the Eastern Cape and contributed to the development of the Customary Initiation Act 2 of 2021 and the National Initiation Indaba, which brought together stakeholders to strengthen oversight of the initiation process.
Call for accountability
The commission reiterated that the Customary Initiation Act requires all deaths and injuries to be reported immediately to the relevant authorities, while affected families must be informed and assisted throughout investigations.
It said resolutions adopted at the National Initiation Indaba committed stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and ensure the closure of illegal initiation schools to preserve the integrity and sacredness of customary initiation.
The CRL Rights Commission called on traditional leaders, Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees, the South African Police Service, the National Prosecuting Authority, the Department of Health, parents and local communities to cooperate fully with the Section 7 Investigative Committee.
It also urged law enforcement agencies to take decisive action against those operating illegal initiation schools, and anyone found responsible for negligence or criminal conduct, saying accountability is essential to preventing further loss of life and protecting one of South Africa's most important cultural traditions.
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