COGTA works with stakeholders to curb deaths during the summer season
Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Mr Pravin Gordhan, says his Department met with the stakeholders on 7 December 2015 to establish effective ways to curb the deaths and abduction of initiates during this summer season. “We strongly condemn the deaths, abductions of young boys and the mushrooming of unregistered initiation schools around the country,” says Minister Gordhan.
The Department met with the South African Police Service (SAPS), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Department of Health, provincial departments as well as houses of traditional leaders. The purpose of the meeting was to galvanize all state resources to stop this unacceptable loss of life and abuse
All stakeholders in the meeting agreed to do all in their power to ensure that they curb further loss of life:
- Police to intensify arrests of all those who violate the laws of the country with regard to initiation and to shut down all unregistered schools and arrest everyone involved
- NPA undertook to prosecute all perpetrators and to work closely with police
- Provincial houses, traditional leaders, community leaders as well as government departments continue to monitor and to inspect initiation schools on daily bases.
To date the teams have uncovered 22 deaths:
- The total number of deaths in the Eastern Cape stands at 19:
- 10 at Chris Hani District, l 4 at OR Tambo District, l 2 at Joe Gqabi District, l 1 at Amathole District,
- 2 at Alfred Nzo District and
- So far, 7 people have been arrested in Mbizana, Alfred Nzo District.
- North West Province has reported 1 death at Rooigrond near Mafikeng, one person has been arrested.
- Gauteng Province has reported a number of illegal schools where two initiates were taken to hospital and four perpetrators have been arrested and three cases reported and being finalised
- In the Western Cape province one death has been reported with no arrests yet.
Government urges parents and relatives not to take their children to unregistered initiation schools. They should further ensure that children undergo medical screening and those that need treatment should take their medication in the initiation schools under supervision of the caregivers. Minister Gordhan says that the team will meet regularly to assess the situation and ensure the perpetrators are arrested and prosecuted.
For more information contact:
Tsakani Baloyi
Cell: 082 052 0892
