# Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa, says government remains committed to working with traditional leaders, families, communities and all stakeholders to achieve zero initiate deaths, no injuries and no illegal initiation schools. He says 43 initiates have died during the winter customary initiation season and 12 abductions were recorded, while 58 illegal initiation schools were identified, 42 of which have since been closed. The minister says 180 initiates have been rescued; 75 hospitalised; three assault cases and one injury were recorded.
Government committed to working with all stakeholders to achieve zero initiate deaths