JOHANNESBURG - The winter initiation school death toll has risen to 35.
The Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Department says 180 initiates have been rescued while 75 others are in hospital.
READ | Summer initiation deaths rise to 41
A total of 42 bogus initiation schools have been closed across the country and police have made 40 arrests.
COGTA Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa is calling on families, traditional leaders and communities to ensure the safety of initiates.