Initiation school closed in Musina

Police in Musina arrested a 46-year-old man, Calvin Nephawe for allegedly operating an illegal initiation school at a location between Harper and Campbell farms outside Musina on Friday.
Thirty-four initiates were rescued and conveyed to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Provincial Police Spokesperson, Moatshe Ngoepe said the suspect appeared before the Musina Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and was granted R500 bail. The case was postponed until the 18 July for further investigation.
Chairperson of the House of Traditional Leaders in Limpopo, Malesela Dikgale said they were disappointed in the operator who defied them despite their efforts to curb the illegal operation of initiation schools in the province. “We are disappointed. We told everyone to refrain from illegal operations but he decided otherwise. He was not cooperating at all and we had to close the school are release the initiates,” Dikgale said.
He also mentioned that everything was going at other initiation schools but that they were saddened by the untimely passing of Mashole Segabutla, a renowned initiation school operator in Zebediela.
“He died before the beginning of this year’s initiation season. He was a good operator and his initiation school did well every year,” Dikgale said.
He stressed that they will continue to closely monitor all the schools until the last day of the programme.

Story: HERBERT RACHUENE
herbert@mailbox.co.za