Initiation update on abduction of young men
Deputy Minister for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Obed Bapela, strongly condemns the abduction of young men to both legal and illegal initiation schools. He further warned that the abductors would face the full might of law.
“We urge people and parents to use the hotline number 0800 111 166 or call the provincial coordinators in cases where they experience wrong doings in the name of culture,” said the Deputy Minister. The provincial coordinators and their contact numbers are listed below.
Cases of kidnapping and the opening of an illegal school were reported in the Klipgat area in the North West Province. Deputy Minister Bapela warned both illegal traditional surgeons and nurses that continue to kidnap young men to initiation schools that steps will be taken against them.
The Deputy Minister said that the safety of young men and boys is not the sole responsibility of government but a societal responsibility. He calls on parents and community members to play their part by ensuring that their loved ones return home safely, by only using legal initiation schools. He says responsible schools will not take any boy without the consent of his parents and only operate within government stipulated health guidelines.
The Deputy Minister calls on everyone to play their part and ensure that these schools become places of safety and adhere to the norms and standards of the culture of initiation. He says working together with government society can bring an end to unnecessary deaths and injuries by placing the safety of young men first and by using only legal initiation schools.
“We will not allow the lives of our young men to be put at risk. We are working closely with the SAPS and other authorities to bring those running illegal initiation schools to book,” said Deputy Minister Bapela.
Provincial Coordinators: Initiation
|
No |
Province |
Contact person |
Contact particulars |
|
1 |
Eastern Cape |
Lt Colonel Ntsonge |
040 6088480/082 416 8775 |
|
2 |
Free State |
Captain MP Moleko |
051 507 6628/082 526 2676 |
|
3 |
Gauteng |
Captain KC Mohlamme |
011 309 6078/082 719 8773 |
|
4 |
KwaZulu-Natal |
Captain TB Shangase |
031 325 5751/082 458 5656 |
|
5 |
Limpopo |
Lt Colonel KJ Shilenge |
015 290 6213/083 565 7784 |
|
6 |
Mpumalanga |
Lt Colonel O Thobejane |
013 698 7132/082 565 7287 |
|
7 |
North West |
Captain MM Morema |
018 299 7258/082 856 1087 |
|
8 |
Northern Cape |
Captain SH Myburgh |
053 839 2821/082 776 9050 |
|
9 |
Western Cape |
Captain S Mathendamo |
021 467 6036/082 220 4113 |
Media enquiries:
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Enquiries:
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Cell: 083 378 9495
