A 51-year-old man is set to make his first appearance today (May 26) at the eMalahleni Magistrate’s Court following his arrest in connection with initiation-related incidents in the Vosman policing area, reports Witbank News.

The man faces charges of contravention of the customary act and extortion after police rescued a

16-year-old boy who had gone missing last week.

According to the police, the victim’s mother reported him missing after learning that he had been recruited by unknown men into an initiation school without her consent.

The mother was later contacted by the initiation school principal, who allegedly demanded groceries and money before her child could be released.

The matter was reported to Vosman SAPS, prompting the activation of the Ingoma Task Team.

Upon investigation, officers discovered the missing boy had already been initiated.

Seventeen other children, aged between 14 and 17, who were admitted without the procedure being followed, were also found at the school and rescued.

They have since been reunited with their families.

The man, described as the initiation school’s ‘right-hand man,’ was arrested on the spot, and police have not ruled out the possibility of adding further charges as investigations continue.

Vosman SAPS station commander, Brigadier Lindani Ndlovu, issued a stern warning to initiation school principals, emphasising that recruiting children without parental consent is unlawful and will be met with the full might of the law.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.