LIMPOPO – Hosi Dzumeri has opposed plans to establish an initiation school at Khaxani village, which were allegedly being pursued by a rogue headman working together with one of the traditional leaders, who is in a chieftaincy dispute with him.

Headman accused of bypassing legal process

One of the three headmen in Khaxani village had applied to host an initiation school without the knowledge of the community or Hosi Dzumeri, raising concerns about the legality of the application.

Normally, an application to host an initiation school must first be approved by the community, then recommended by the chief (Hosi Dzumeri), before being submitted to the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta) for final approval.

This process was not followed, prompting Hosi Dzumeri to submit opposition to the approval of the initiation school.

Dzumeri royal family moves to halt applications

Speaking in Khaxani village on Sunday, where the Dzumeri royal task team briefed the community on the development, Adam Mabunda of the Dzumeri royal family told the gathering that steps had already been taken to block the application.

“We submitted a letter to Coghsta on Monday to stop two applications for hosting initiation schools at Khaxani and Mushiyani villages under the Dzumeri Traditional Authority,” he said.

“Our application to halt these two is based on the law. There are numerous irregularities in their submissions, and they have shown no regard for legal requirements, which is why we had to intervene and stop the process from proceeding any further,” he said.

Mabunda expressed optimism that the royal family would succeed in stopping the two applications.

Community backs chief’s decision

In response, one of the community members in Khaxani village, Rich Makhubele, welcomed the announcement and clarification by the task team, saying it helps residents distinguish legitimate leaders from impostors who deceive the community.

“As residents, we are happy that the traditional office has officially clarified the matter regarding the application for an initiation school. Our loyalty is, of course, with Hosi Dzumeri, and if he says there will be no initiation, then there will be no initiation,” he said.

Warning issued against unauthorised initiation schools

Meanwhile, spokesperson of the task team, Pat Mabunda, warned that anyone misleading people by acting as a headman to undermine Hosi Dzumeri would be dealt with severely.

“I would like to confirm that there will be no initiation school in this village or any other without the knowledge or permission of Hosi Dzumeri. If someone takes it upon themselves to host an initiation school here, we will act.

“You must understand that you are on someone’s territory and must abide by the law. If you cannot follow the rules, the matter is simple: just pack up and go. Do not wait for us to help you pack, because then it will not be pleasant,” he said.