Initiation is supposed to be a healthy, safe, positive learning as well as a bonding experience and a portal into manhood that is not associated with loss of lives, North West Premier Thandi Modise said in expressing sadness at the death of a 17 year old initiate from Christiana on Sunday.
“We wish to convey our condolences to the family that lost their loved one and trust that the investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of their son will be speedily concluded for them to find closure,” emphasised Premier Modise in reiterating her earlier call for provincial authorities to clamp down on initiation schools that are operating outside the law.
Modise said that health screening conducted at registered initiation schools and subsequent check-ups are to ensure that none of the boys die from bleeding from circumcision or dehydration or any other condition that is medically related.
“One death at an initiation school is a death too many. Chancers and those who commit atrocities at initiation schools undermine tradition and culture and should be brought to book,” added Premier Modise.
The Premier has called on traditional leaders as custodians of our tradition and culture to monitor initiation schools within their areas of jurisdiction and report illegal initiation schools to authorities
According to police, the boy was already dead when he was taken to the Utlwanang clinic in Christiana by the initiation school teacher at about 21h00 on Friday Captain Pelonomi Makau says that police received a call from the clinic that the 17-year-old was brought to the clinic already dead, with no visible injuries.
A post-mortem would be performed on the boy's body to determine the cause of death. "After police were alerted of the incident, they went to the initiation school situated in [the bush] in Christiana and found 83 initiates between the ages of 14 and 18-years-old who were from the surrounding areas," said Makau.
They were all taken to the hospital for examination, with 35 admitted and the remaining 48 initiates discharged back into the care of the initiation school teacher, who claimed the school was legitimate.
Makau alleges that the teacher could not produce legal documentation for the school, although he confirmed that he had authorisation from Lekwa Teemane local municipality to operate the school.
"Police requested him not to operate the school until he produced an alleged municipality authorisation by Saturday afternoon," said Makau.
"An arrest will be made if the relevant documents are not produced as promised by the initiation school teacher."
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
