The police in Limpopo have issued a stern warning to surgeons who will either try their luck or take chances and stage initiation schools without proper documentation this winter.
Year after year innocent boys lose their lives as a result of circumcision that went horribly wrong due to incompetency of unregistered surgeons and police will have none of such this season. The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional affairs has announced that they received a total of 311 applications to conduct initiation schools this year. The department approved 275 of those, whereas 36 of them were declined.
Initiation schools are set to start on 14 June and conclude their activities of 18 July 2014. Starting such school before the set date or continue with the initiation school activities beyond the 18 July will render the institution illegal and police will vigorously deal with trespassers.
Nineteen initiation schools has been approved to operate in the Vhembe District, 85 in Sekhukhune, Mopani will have 60, whereas Capricorn and Waterberg Districts will have 43 and 69 initiation schools respectively, bringing the total of all initiation schools in the province to 276.
A provincial joints priority committee comprising of the departments of Health, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) and other strategic stakeholders been established to oversee and monitor the smooth running of the schools and curb any un-becoming and criminal behaviour. Parents are urged to verify the legitimacy of the Initiation School with their local Traditional Authorities before sending their children.
Police will also not tolerate the abduction of boys into these initiation schools in the disguise of culture and tradition. Those found to be forcefully dragging innocent boys to circumcision will face the wrath of the law and police will be on the lookout for that.
The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Fanie Masemola said the police will work hand and glove with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that no casualties are reported in Limpopo province. “Even those approved initiation Schools will not be spared from unannounced police raid. No boys under the age of 12 must be admitted at these schools and we will be out to guard against that as well.
Surgeons performing their duties without certificate of fitness issued by a medical practitioner will meet the mighty hand of the law. The admission of initiates five days after the commencement of the school is also prohibited. Those who fail to comply will have the police to deal with,” Masemola warned.
For enquiries please contact:
Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi
Cell: 082 373 2408
