MEC Refilwe Mtshweni commends law enforcement agencies for clamping on illegal initiation schools in Mpumalanga
MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) in Mpumalanga, Ms Refilwe Mtshweni has commended law enforcement agencies for closing down illegal initiation schools. Four schools have been closed down since the beginning of the winter season and the owners have been arrested for failing to comply with the Ingoma Act. Mtshweni says this will prevent the loss of lives in the illegal schools.
“The passage of our young boys to adulthood through the traditional initiation process should be a death-free excersize. However, non-compliance to the act is the source of the unwarranted loss of lives. We are working with law enforcement agencies and the institution of traditional leadership to close down illegal schools,” MEC Mtshweni warned. She added that the closing of the four schools will send a strong message to the illegal school owners that non-compliance to the act has no place in Mpumalanga.
Mtshweni appealed to the parents to ensure that the initiates are in a good health condition before allowing them to undergo the traditional practice. She further urged traditional leaders to monitor the schools whether the owners have permission to operate them.
Contact:
George Mthethwa
Cell: 083 302 2774
Tel: 013 766 6572
E-mail: gpmthethwa@mpg.gov.za
