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CONTRALESA President, Chief Lameck Mokoena says initiation schools will have to follow strict COVID-19 regulations.
The family of a 19-year-old Onalenna Booi, who died at an initiation school at Dithakong outside Mahikeng, North West, has called on the government to enforce more strict regulations for initiation schools.
Booi, a Matric learner at Tiego Tawana Secondary School, was forcefully taken to the initiation school.
His body was allegedly discovered at the Kraal at the home of the Principal of the initiation school.
Three initiates have died across the province during this summer initiation season thus far.
Onalenna Booi was last seen by his family after writing his matric exams in November. His body was discovered here on the 26th of December.”
Booi’s family says that, looking at the state of his body, he probably died at the initiation school days before.
Thobile Booi, the Uncle says evidence shows he died earlier than found
“What’s painful is that when we got to the scene. It was evident that he did not die that day. It shows that the incident might have happened the day before. His corpse was just brought there.”
The family wants stricter actions to be taken against initiation schools who disregards other cultures.
“These people forcefully take our kids and they don’t even inform us as parents, so that we can explain to them that as Xhosas. Our proper tradition does not permit for us to take our kids to Setswana initiation schools.” Said Booi.
Authorities called on the police to speed up investigations.
COGTA North West’s Thebeetsile Keameditse calls for a quick SAPS probe and strict prosecution.
“We are calling on the South African police service to conduct a swift investigation into the tragic death of Onalenna, ensuring that all regulations under the customary initiation Act of 2021 were properly observed. We stress that if post-mortem results reveal foul play, those responsible must be arrested immediately and face prosecution. We further urge the National Prosecuting Authority to impose harsher sentences where so that this serves as a deterrent to anyone seeking to undermine sacred cultural practices”.
Booi will be buried in Dithakong on Saturday.
