Three initiates were shot dead at an initiation school in Ngqamakhwe in the Eastern Cape in the early hours of Tuesday morning. 

Eastern Cape health department spokesperson Sizwe Kupelo said the incident occurred just after 01:00 and that the circumstances of the shooting were unknown.

"Forensics has already collected the bodies," said Kupelo. 

According to the department, the initiates were 19, 20 and 22 years old. 

Eastern Cape police said "all incidents regarding initiates" were referred to the Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).

Cogta spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam said the department was collecting all the information before further details could be disclosed.

Ngam said:

What has happened is a very serious concern to the department. However, we are still in the process of gathering all the relevant information and facts surrounding this unfortunate incident.

Cogta MEC Zolile Williams conveyed condolences to the families of the deceased.

House of Traditional Leaders chairperson Inkosi Mpumalanga Gwadiso also condemned the incident.

"It is never anything praiseworthy for any person to die in the manner in which these three youngsters died, it's not a good thing. It is worse now that the victims were in a [initiation] school because it feels like an ambush, and it's bad," Gwadiso said.