Most Gauteng winter initiation schools suspended
The Gauteng department of Social Development, MEC Nandi-Mayathula-Khoza, says they are angered by the many lives lost at initiation schools.
Kwatsaduza – The Gauteng government has intensified a crackdown on illegal initiation schools.
Despite efforts to regulate this practice, admission of under-age minor initiates (14- to 17-year-olds), persists.
As part of enforcing children’s laws, the department has suspended all the initiation schools in Gauteng for the 2017 winter season, pending proper certification, with the exception of the Ndebele Ndzundza nation.
According to a statement released by the MEC of Social Development in Gauteng, Nandi Mayathula-Khoza, in this season alone, more than 20 children have been rescued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and brought to them for care.
“In Sedibeng municipality thirteen under-age boys (15-17 years) and six female initiates were rescued.
“In the City of Tshwane it was three (two 14-year-olds and a 15-year-old).
“Another 15-year-old boy was rescued from the legally registered initiation school Ekurhuleni municipality.
“Abduction/human trafficking and child neglect cases have been opened with SAPS,” she says.
Mayathula-Khoza says a plethora of problems are associated with illegal initiation schools.
“Some initiates were found to have chronic diseases like asthma and some schools did not have prescribed water tanks.
“Even when there were obvious transgressions government could not act, as some parents were not willing to open cases and in some instances withdrew cases,” said the MEC.
“We also found that principals of illegal initiation schools are permitting criminal activities e.g. some of the initiation schools principals take advantage of the weak systems of the government and make fraudulent forms.“
“Drugs and alcohol were rife in some initiation schools, and parents of abducted children are often charged exorbitant fees before their children are released.
“In some instances the team found that school principals were themselves underage,” she says.
“We are angered by the many lives that are being destroyed by botched procedures,” says Mayathula-Khoza.
“We can no longer afford to fold our arms while the young initiates continue to die, or are forever disfigured.
“No parent should subject their children to initiation schools unless they are approved by the municipality or CRL Commission.
“No child should be forced into initiation schools and any case of abduction of children should be reported to the nearest police station or Social Development offices.
“Parents or next of kin must call the Gauteng Hotline on 0860 428 8354 for assistance,” she says.
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