Minister Hlabisa calls for greater collaboration as winter initiation death toll rises to 35 [SOUND]

# Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says the continued loss of lives and incidents recorded during initiation seasons are concerning. Thirty-five initiates died during the 2026 winter customary initiation season, with 75 hospitalised and 180 rescued from illegal initiation. Twelve initiation-related abductions have been reported, while law enforcement agencies have opened 130 criminal cases, resulting in 40 arrests. The department’s spokesperson, Pearl Maseko-Binqose, says much more must be done collectively to eliminate preventable deaths, injuries and criminal activities associated with customary initiation: