MPUMALANGA MEC for community safety, security and liaison Vusi Shongwe yesterday said there were indications that the 23 initiates died from excessive bleeding and dehydration.
"It is clear that there are people who should be held responsible," Shongwe said.
"We support the police in their bid to unearth the truth and hope there will be suspects who will be arrested.
"We are confident that the police will do a proper investigation to single out those responsible."
He also welcomed the police's decision to change the inquest into the deaths to murder charges after 23 boys aged between 15 and 21 died in KwaMhlanga, Verena, Middelburg, Kwaggafontein and Belfast.
"The investigation has since been changed to focus on 22 counts of murder.
"The 23rd case remains unchanged."
Provincial police spokesman Colonel Leonard Hlathi said the death toll was still at 23.
"Its a mammoth task that we are dealing with," Hlathi said, adding that investigations were continuing. - Sibongile Mashaba
Bleeding, dehydration blamed for initiates death
MPUMALANGA MEC for community safety, security and liaison Vusi Shongwe yesterday said there were indications that the 23 initiates died from excessive bleeding and dehydration.
"It is clear that there are people who should be held responsible," Shongwe said.
"We support the police in their bid to unearth the truth and hope there will be suspects who will be arrested.
"We are confident that the police will do a proper investigation to single out those responsible."
He also welcomed the police's decision to change the inquest into the deaths to murder charges after 23 boys aged between 15 and 21 died in KwaMhlanga, Verena, Middelburg, Kwaggafontein and Belfast.
"The investigation has since been changed to focus on 22 counts of murder.
"The 23rd case remains unchanged."
Provincial police spokesman Colonel Leonard Hlathi said the death toll was still at 23.
"Its a mammoth task that we are dealing with," Hlathi said, adding that investigations were continuing. - Sibongile Mashaba
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