10 August 2006
Justice Naane of Gopane, a village near Zeerust, did not return home since
he went to an initiation school a few months ago. According to the family
Justice Naane was abducted and forced to the school by some community members.
His distraught family has since solicited assistance from the Office of the
Premier for intervention.
The matter was then referred to the Chairperson of the House of Traditional
Leaders Kgosi Moshe Mabe. Kgosi Mabe recently visited the traditional
leadership of the Bahurutshe Ba Ga Gopane and the Naane family to establish
facts.
It emerged the initiate had died and was buried out in the mountains as it
is in line with the Batswana culture. The father of the deceased Kereng Naane,
says his family needed to bury his son so as to have closure.
According to the local chief Kgosi Jangjo Gopane, the matter is already in
the hands of the police. He said the suspects, who are from his village, were
known to the police. The current police investigating may lead to the
exhumation of the remains to establish the cause of death.
It has also surfaced that two more initiates from the same school are
seriously ill. The provincial government is investigating this new development.
The Office of the Premier has stated it will not interfere in the case but will
only assist when the need arises. The Office added it was confident the South
African Police Services is on top of the case.
Issued by:
Cornelius Monama
Spokesperson â North West Provincial Government
Tel: (018) 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Enquiries:
Russel Mamabolo
Manager â Media Relations
Tel: (018) 387 3103
Cell: 082 900 6610
Issued by: North West Provincial Government
10 August 2006
