COGHSTA to keep a close eye on initiation schools’ conduct
The MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Makoma Makhurupetje, has issued a strong warning to initiation school owners not to abduct boys in order to force them to take part in initiation ceremonies.
LIMPOPO –Â Makhurupetje spoke at an inauguration ceremony for Kgoshi Ngwako Cedrick Phooko, 47, of the Babirwa community in Sekgosese outside Modjadjiskloof on Saturday.
She said her office is aware that the Sekgosese area has registered a number of legal initiation schools where boys will be prepared for adulthood, but she warned that they should not take boys against their will, in order to collect payment from the boys’ parents.
She issued a strong warning that anyone found operating an illegal initiation school will be arrested and will face jail time as the department takes a zero tolerance approach to illegal initiation schools.
“We will be able to apprehend suspects if communities join forces with us and expose people who abduct young boys and those who operate illegal initiation schools,” Makhurupetje said.
Kgoshi Ngawako Cedrick Phooko, first born son of the late Kgoshi Mohale Kgoshi Phooko David Phooko and his wife Massa, was born and raised in Soetfontein, outside Modjadjiskloof in the Greater Letaba Municipality in the Mopani District. He was appointed as the senior traditional leader of the Phooko Tribal Council on 29 September 2015 following the death of his father in November 2014.
The Chairperson for Limpopo House of Traditional Leaders, Kgoshi Malesela Dikgale said they will be working closely with the new chief and his communities in all their activities. He said they are happy because the new kgoshi was appointed without any dispute and he commended the Phooko royal family for their cooperation. “We are very grateful for the new chief, with the passing of a chief, we usually start by making intervention in disputes over who will take his place, but that was not the case here,” Dikgale said. The event was attended by chiefs from across the province including Mopani, Vhembe and Capricorn.
During the ceremony, Khoshi Phooko received a brand new car, an XLT 4×4 double cab Ford Ranger as a gift from Limpopo Premier, Stanley Mathabatha, who could not attend the ceremony due to other commitments.
He also received a royal chair, which he will use in his office when dealing with cases brought to him by his subjects.
