JOHANNESBURG - The CRL Commission is launching an investigation into the root causes of 43 deaths linked to the winter initiation season across multiple provincial hotspots.
It says the probe will assess whether the Customary Initiation Act is being properly enforced and identify gaps in the regulation of initiation schools.
The findings are expected to shape recommendations to protect initiates while safeguarding the cultural practice.
"Eastern Cape has always been identified as one of the hotspots," said Prince George Mahlangu, CRL deputy chairperson.
"The Free State is also one of the provinces that in the last two years or so has seen a surge in their fatalities. Gauteng seems to be regressing. North West, lot of abductions that take place, a lot of young people that establish initiation schools. We need to look into all those issues," Mahlangu added.
The highest number of deaths has been recorded in Mpumalanga, where 18 initiates have died. The Eastern Cape has reported 14 deaths, followed by the North West (4), Limpopo (3), Gauteng (2) and the Free State (2).