Two bogus initiation schools have been closed down in Agisanang near Sannieshof and in Delareyville within Tswaing Local Municipality. At least 80 initiates, both men and women whose ages ranged from 14 – 50 years, were removed from the area of operation and taken to nearby health facility for medical treatment.

North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs, Manketsi Tlhape said the Department launched a full-scale investigation to determine whether these schools had authentic permits or not.

“This was after we received a number of complaints from parents whose children went for initiation despite the fact that they were supposed to have been at a formal school. The period in which these schools were conducted was totally wrong. It is normal practice that these cultural schools operate during the official school holidays in accordance with the school calendar of the national Department of Education.

“Our investigation further revealed that some of the initiates went there without their parents consent, they were staying in very appalling conditions without proper sanitation and water supply. We could not just stand back as government and watch opportunists make a mockery of our customs and tradition whilst they also put the lives of our children at a health risk.

“We are in the process of fast tracking the adoption of the North West Initiation Schools Matters Bill in order to fully regulate initiation schools in the province and once that is done we will department will embark on an awareness campaign to educate communities about procedures which must be followed in order to be granted permission to conduct initiation schools”, she concluded.

Source: South African Official News