Lentswe, Klerksdorp - The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the province stated that over hundred initiates have been rescued from illegal initiation schools. The department said that at least 17 initiation schools were closed down across the province in collaboration with the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) and the police.
Thirteen initiates were rescued from illegal initiation schools in Lichtenburg and Coligny, while others were rescued from illegal initiation schools in areas including Moretele, Tigane, Mahikeng, and Madibogo. All these schools were shut down.
The chairperson of the PICC, Kgosi Godfrey Ramosetlho Gasebone, says the non-compliance of initiation school principals which resulted in an increase of illegal schools and the deaths of two initiates remains a serious concern.
“The PICC has been conducting oversight visits throughout the province since the beginning of the winter. We have closed down at least 17 illegal initiation schools and have opened cases against some of the principals.”
