The Eastern Cape initiate death toll has risen to 23 since the 2025 summer traditional male initiation season started.
Authorities are also shocked by the loss of seven traditional nurses amakhankatha in separate incidents, including lightning strikes, stabbing, suicide, and a hut fire.
Eastern Cape Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee chair Nkosi Gwazinamba Matanzima told the Daily Dispatch on Monday that the numbers we alarming.
