The Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) has confirmed that three initiates have died at different initiation schools in the North West province. In addition, ninety others have been rescued from bogus initiation schools.
The fatalities were reported at Klipgat, Ottoshoop, and a farm near Alabama in Klerksdorp.
The PICC and the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (GOGTA) have intensified the search for the missing 11 young boys who were allegedly lured into attending an illegal initiation school in Tsetse village near Mahikeng.
COGTA Spokesperson Thebeetsile Keameditse says they are seeking help to ensure the safe return of the initiates.
“The bogus initiation school principal has been operating the school in Tsetse Village and would change his location to avoid being arrested. The PICC has appealed for assistance to ensure the safe return of initiates as the situation becomes dire for their well-being. Four more illegal initiation schools have been shut down, and this brings the total number of initiation schools shut down since the start of the winter initiation season to 18. A total of 90 male initiates have been rescued. Unfortunately, three initiates have died.”
Initiation school in North West suspected of kidnapping:
