Overview
- Authorities say at least 41 initiates died during November and December, with the summer season running through January 2026.
- Police made 41 arrests tied to unlawful initiation activity, including parents accused of falsifying ages despite a legal minimum of 16 with consent.
- Eastern Cape is the worst affected province, accounting for roughly half of the reported fatalities.
- Officials cite negligence and unsafe practices such as depriving boys of water, with additional reports of severe injuries and kidnappings linked to illegal schools.
- The government plans localised courts for faster prosecutions, mandatory registration of traditional surgeons, intensified monitoring and recovery support, and a national meeting in February 2026 to set further measures.