The number of boys who have died in initiation schools in Mpumalanga has risen to 30, the provincial health department said on Thursday.

"The number is now 30," said spokesman Ronnie Masilela.

On Monday, Mpumalanga police said 27 boys had died in initiation schools in the past two weeks.

At the time, Colonel Leonard Hlathi said 26 of the deaths were being investigated as murder cases and one as an inquest. He was not immediately available for comment on Thursday.

Limpopo police spokeswoman Ronel Otto confirmed there were six deaths in the province related to initiation schools.

Khoza said investigations into the matter would bring relief to the parents of the boys who died.

"We expect that those behind this cultural practice, including provincial governments and traditional leaders, will assure the public and the nation that [such deaths] will never recur," he said.

On Tuesday, President Jacob Zuma said he was shocked and outraged by the deaths.