South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday called for a swift legal action as the initiation death toll in Mpumalanga Province reached 27.

"President Zuma has expressed his shock and outrage at the death of more than 25 young men during what was reported as initiation and circumcision rituals across the Mpumalanga Province, " the presidency said in a statement.

On Monday South African police announced a total of 27 boys died in initiation schools in the eastern province of Mpumalanga in the last two weeks.

"The whole country is outraged at this massive and unnecessary loss of young life," the statement said.

"The South African government welcomed action taken by police in opening murder dockets," said the statement. "We wish to urge them to ensure swift justice for the families and that those responsible for the deaths are brought to book without delay."

On Monday South African police said 26 of those deaths were being probed as murder cases and one remained an inquest.

"President Zuma has conveyed his sincerest condolences to all the families affected and reassured young men's passage to manhood was safe," said the statement.

According to local custom, the initiations are normally viewed as a traditional passage for a young boy to enter manhood. However, the ancient initiations this year have became the fatal platform for those boys.

On May 17, police said at least 17 young boys had died in initiation schools in Mpumalanga Province within a week.