Since the initiation winter schools started in Nkangala district, it has been reported that at this stage, four initiates died after they had complications.
Addressing journalists at a media briefing held yesterday at KwaMhlanga, the deputy chairperson of the National House of Traditional Leaders, Inkosi Sipho Mahlangu sent his condolences to the families of the deceased.
Illegal initiation school claims six year old’s life
Mpumalanga News learnt that even though postmortem results of the cause of death of three initiates were released, but it was not disclosed as traditional authorities were asked by families of the initiates not to disclose it to the public.The postmortem results of the other initiate will be conducted today.
Mahlangu said parents must take their children to medical doctors for screening before they can go to initiation schools.”We have a serious concern regarding parents who are reluctant to take their children for screening. It very important to take that route so that the Ingoma owners can have an assurance that the boys are fit and healthy to go through that journey,” said Mahlangu.
He added that traditional authorities must enforce Ingoma owners to establish a good working relationship with doctors so that they can understand better the screening process and results.
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“We have visited a number of schools around and we have discovered that there is a serious challenge. The people who are conducting the initiation don’t understand the results, so we advised that a good working relationship with the doctors will assist us in the initiations schools. When there is something that they don’t understand, they must feel free and inquire from them,” said Mahlangu.
