Eight boys die after attending initiation schools

Eight boys have died after attending initiation schools around KwaMhlanga and Verena, Mpumalanga police said on Friday.

"An investigation has been launched and a post mortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death," spokesman Colonel Leonard Hlathi said in a statement.

He said the incidents occurred on Wednesday and Thursday.

Six of the victims died after they were admitted to hospitals.

Two of them died at initiation schools. The boys were aged between 15 and 21.

Police were also verifying whether the initiation schools were registered, Nyathi said.