Government to monitor all initiation schools

The police in Limpopo issued a stern warning to all traditional surgeons who intend to stage initiation schools without proper documentation this winter.

Col Ronel Otto said that the illegal initiation schools contributed to deaths which happened in the bushes each year.

“Innocent boys lose their lives as a result of circumcision that go horribly wrong, due to incompetency of unregistered surgeons, and the police will have none of such this season,” Otto said.

The police will not tolerate the abduction of boys into these initiation schools in the disguise of culture and tradition. “Every year, reports are also received of young boys or men who are kidnapped and taken to initiation schools against their will,” she said. “Those found to be forcefully dragging innocent boys to circumcision will face the wrath of the law and police will be on the lookout for that.” 

The SAPS, the Department of Health, and the Department of Co-Operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs and other strategic stakeholders have formed a provincial joint priority to oversee and monitor the smooth running of the schools and curb any unbecoming and criminal behaviour.

“Parents are urged to verify the legitimacy of the initiation school with their local traditional authorities before sending their children,” she said.

The provincial police commissioner, Lt-Gen Fanie Masemola, said the police would work hand in glove with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that no casualties were reported in Limpopo Province.
“Even those approved initiation schools will not be spared from unannounced visits and inspections,” Masemola warned. 

“No boys under the age of 12 must be admitted at these schools and we will be out to guard against that as well. Those who fail to comply will have the police to deal with.”
He said that the police would respond swiftly to any reported case or incident of young boys or men who were kidnapped and taken to initiation schools against their will.

Date:01 July 2015

By: Tshifhiwa Mukwevho

Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho was born in 1984 in Madombidzha village, not far from Louis Trichardt in the Limpopo Province. After submitting articles for roughly a year for Limpopo Mirror's youth supplement, Makoya, he started writing for the main newspaper. He is a prolific writer who published his first book, titled A Traumatic Revenge in 2011. It focusses on life on the street and how to survive amidst poverty. His second book titled The Violent Gestures of Life was published in 2014.

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