Officials Rescue 26 Youths from Illegal Initiation School in Witfontein

In a collaborative effort between the North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC), and the South African Police Services (SAPS), 26 young people have been rescued from an illegal initiation school at Witfontein farm, located between Ottosdal and Klerksdorp.

The raid, which resulted in the closure of the school that had been operating for approximately two weeks, was conducted following a tip-off received by the authorities. Led by Deputy Chairperson of PICC, Andries Stemmer, the joint operation conducted an early morning raid to shut down the unauthorized initiation school.

Several of the initiates required immediate medical attention, with one being admitted to Ottosdal Hospital, six referred to Tshepong Hospital in Klerksdorp, and four to Gelukspan Hospital. A case has been opened against the principal of the school for contravening the Customary Initiation Act.

Expressing concern over the safety and well-being of the youth, Stemmer condemned the flagrant disregard for the law and urged parents to remain vigilant against the risk of abduction.

Meanwhile, Kgosi Thari Maotwe, Chairperson of the North West House of Traditional & Khoi-San Leaders, emphasized the severity of the issue, labeling the proliferation of illegal initiation schools as a national crisis. Despite efforts to educate the public on the importance of following proper procedures, Maotwe lamented the continued operation of unauthorized schools.

Commending the collaborative efforts that led to the shutdown of the school, Maotwe urged all stakeholders to unite in safeguarding the cultural practice of initiation rites. With the upcoming June initiation season approaching, Maotwe stressed the need for communities to support interventions by government and traditional leaders to prevent unnecessary deaths and injuries resulting from illegal initiation schools.