The African National Congress views the death of 29 initiates in
Mpumalanga and the six announced yesterday at Sekhukhune in Limpopo as a
tragic result of a process whose tragic end could be avoided. The ANC Is
very disappointed that ever since the first pronouncement of deaths of
our young men in the initiation schools particularly around Mpumalanga,
there does not seem to have been any urgency in investigating the
circumstances that led to their death. This is very concerning that we
still have thousands of young men who are still undergoing the initiation
whose fate is under threat unless we understand and mitigate the causal
factor to the many deaths that occurred in the initiation schools.  In
line with the statement of President Zuma, we emphasise the need for
urgent investigation into these deaths and bringing to book those
responsible (any persons or groups) for these deaths. While we are fully
supportive of the practice of initiation we believe it should not be a
death sentence to so many young people who had their lives ahead of them cut short.

It is our view that the pending investigations will leave no stone
unturned in bringing out the reasons why we lost so many young men.  This
will be instrumental in assuring parents of the thousands of young men
that are still undergoing initiation that the lives of their loved ones
are not under threat. We believe that the investigation will include all
parties that bear responsibility for these schools. We expect that those
behind this cultural practice including provincial governments and
traditional leaders will assure the public and the nation that these will
never recur.

The ANC once again conveys condolences to bereaved families who should be
still trying to come to terms with the tragic end of the lives of the
deceased at such tender age. We call on our structures and communities to
give support to these families.