Initiation death toll has risen to 37

Imogen Vollenhoven
2June 2013

The Democratic Alliance said it is saddened by the death of another initiate Tshepo Moremi in Gauteng. 

The total death toll of young initiates now stands at 37 in the last month alone. 

The DA said SAPS must immediately investigate Moremi’s death and shut down the initiation school where he died.

DA Research and Communications Officer Michael Mpofu said that as the DA they reiterate their call, that the minister of cooperative governance and traditional affairs Richard Baloyi to establish a commission of enquiry to investigate the deaths of the initiates in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and now in Gauteng.

“What we want to know is how many more young men must die before the government takes action,” said Mpofu.

Furthermore he added teat South Africa needs to be reassured that as a country we can take part in cultural practices, without fear, poor health standards and the people need to be protected at all cost.