Decline in initiation school deaths in Eastern Cape's OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts

JOHANNESBURG - There has been a decline in the number of initiates’ deaths in the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo districts in the Eastern Cape.  

The two municipalities were previously reported as the epicentres of initiation school fatalities.  

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs committee chairperson Dr Zweli Mkhize said the two districts have improved after the implementation of the Customary Initiation Legislation.  

Mkhize said the committee is currently on an oversight visit to the province, where they are engaging with different stakeholders involved in the practice.  

“We, however, wanted to ensure that there is effective implementation of this act, largely in terms of the coordination of all the role players, as well as the support and injection of resources by the government.”