A total of 17 illegal initiation schools in North West have been shut down since the beginning of the 2024 winter initiation season. This follows the deaths of two initiates and the rescue of over 100 more.

According to the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Oageng Molapisi, his department, through the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) and in collaboration with South African Police has successfully closed down these initiation schools. 

Members of the PICC and police during an oversight visit to an initiation school. Photo: Supplied

According to the department, 13 initiates were rescued from illegal initiation schools in Lichtenburg and Coligny, while others were rescued from schools in areas including Moretele, Tigane, Mahikeng and Madibogo. 

"The Customary Initiation Act states that an initiation school must be registered at least three months before the commencement of an initiation season, and such registration is valid only for a specific initiation season indicated on the registration certificate.

'Driven by money and greed'

“The shutting down of the schools follows extensive oversight visits conducted by the PICC across the province to clamp down on illegal initiation schools since the beginning of the 2024 winter initiation season,” says Kgosi Gasebone, PICC chairperson. Gasebone said the proliferation of illegal initiations is driven by money and greed by individuals who want to extort money from the parents of initiates.

One of the illegal initiation schools was burned down as part of its shut down. Photo: Supplied

“The committee was monitoring compliance with the act by verifying the qualifications and credentials of initiation school practitioners, namely principals, caretakers and traditional doctors.”
“The committee also inspected the facilities and resources to ensure they met the minimum standards. These operations have ensured the safety and health of numerous young initiates, as some were found to be in dire condition.” 

Before Covid-19 in 2020, an alarming number of deaths were recorded at traditional initiation schools, mainly attributed to botched circumcisions conducted by alleged unscrupulous and inexperienced traditional doctors.

"Each year, many young men either died owing to serious complications or had their infected penises amputated," says Elias Tibane, content developer of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
The Act establishes guidelines and criteria for obligations related to age and health. It prevents harmful practices and requires parental involvement and consent before circumcision can be performed.

Boys not to attend initiation without consent of their parents

“We must be vigilant against illegal initiation schools and safeguard the lives of young boys. Responsible initiation schools will not take any young boy without the consent of their parents and they only operate within official health guidelines,” says Tibane.
The non-compliance of the initiation school principals resulted in the deaths of two initiates. “We are happy that the school principals have been arrested and they will face the full might of the law. We will continue to work with the police to clamp down on these illegal acts until everyone follows the dictates of the Act," says Gasebone.
“We appeal to communities to help the department and PICC stop these criminals who abduct schoolboys and initiate them without the knowledge and consent of their parents. The two deaths could have been avoided.”
OFM News/Zenande Mpame cvdw