POLOKWANE – The MEC for CoGHSTA, Jerry Ndou, made this statement during a media briefing on the provincial initiation schools readiness in Polokwane last Monday.
A total number of 451 permits for initiation schools were approved and four disapproved due to late submission.
According to Ndou, the initiation school programme ran from 16 June to 22 July and he added illegal initiation schools have a negative impact on society which is why they will no longer be tolerated.
He said his department will work hand in glove with police to ensure the owners of illegal initiation schools will be prosecuted.
“We are committed to a zero death rate and by working with the police we believe this will be achieved,” said Ndou, encouraging parents to not send their children to illegal initiation schools as this might cost them their children’s lives.
“We will also work in collaboration with the Department of Health to ensure effective and efficient activities are carried out responsibly in this season.”
Kgoshi Malesela Dikgale from the provincial House of Traditional Leaders, said no initiation school must admit children under the age of 12.
“We call upon parents to authenticate the legitimacy of initiation schools they intend to send their children to with their respective traditional authorities,” said Dikgale.
He told CV that all the initiation schools across the province will be monitored until the last day.
“We will not rest until all perpetrators found to be running illegal initiation schools are discovered and brought to book,” he said.
The MEC for Health, Dr Phophi Ramathuba, said as a department they are ready to work with initiation schools to ensure no life is lost throughout the season.
