Five young boys have tragically died during the winter initiation season in the Eastern Cape, with authorities confirming that all fatalities occurred at unregistered initiation schools. The ongoing issue of illegal initiation practices continues to cast a dark shadow over the traditional rite of passage known as ulwaluko, which holds deep cultural significance in many South African communities.
According to a report by Daily Sun, several other boys were also injured in these incidents. The Eastern Cape police have responded by shutting down six illegal initiation schools and arresting 37 individuals since the start of the winter season on 14 June 2025.
Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Prince Xolile Ncamashe, expressed deep concern and pointed to parental negligence as a contributing factor to the deaths. Speaking during his oversight visit to the Eastern Cape on 8 July, Ncamashe said some parents are knowingly sending their sons to unauthorized practitioners, thereby putting them in harm’s way.
“This is due to negligence, as many are not only defying laws regulating the custom of ulwaluko but are subjecting their sons to torture, injury, and even death, instead of ensuring their safety,” Ncamashe stated.
Ncamashe also assured the public that a thorough investigation into all reported deaths will be carried out.
A report compiled by the Provincial Initiation Task Team detailed the timeline of the deaths: the first occurred on 12 May in East London; two more followed in Ngqeleni on 30 June and 4 July; another initiate died in Lusikisiki on 3 July; and a fifth victim was severely beaten at an illegal initiation school in Qumbu. In the latter case, two individuals, including a traditional nurse, have since been arrested.
Additionally, three boys from other illegal schools were rushed to medical facilities for urgent treatment. One was admitted to All Saints Hospital and another to Queenstown Private Hospital, highlighting the severity of injuries sustained at these outlawed sites.
Authorities also confirmed that no postmortems have yet been completed, leaving the official causes of death still unknown. However, all the reported fatalities have been directly linked to unregistered initiation centres.
The report further revealed that police have opened 41 criminal cases and arrested 37 suspects in relation to illegal initiation practices. These developments underscore the scale of the problem and the urgency with which it needs to be addressed.
Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Williams, described the deaths as “disheartening” and avoidable. He emphasized that the province had already established monitoring committees in each traditional council following the deaths of 29 boys during the December 2024 initiation season.
Williams urged communities, parents, and traditional leaders to work together to safeguard the cultural practice by ensuring that initiation schools are legally registered and that proper health and safety standards are observed.
As investigations continue, the tragic loss of these young lives serves as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of unregulated traditional practices.