The Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) in collaboration with the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) this week urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any initiation schools that are operating illegally in various parts of the province. The initiation season officially opened on June 27 and closes on July 18, aligning with provincial school holidays.

So far, two (2) deaths have been recorded – one  in Botshabelo and another in Bethulie. Police are currently investigating these cases. In Bethulie two male initiates received medical attention after they were found with swollen feet. The cause of their condition is still being investigated. In Vrede, in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district, two cases of missing initiates were reported to the police. The initiates are aged between 15 and
27.

A collaborative effort between the community, the PICC and the police has led to the rescue of 21 initiates from an illegal initiation school in Theunissen. The initiation school has since been closed down and the initiates have been re-united with their families. One of the initiates has been taken to hospital for medical attention.

So far six (6) criminal cases have been opened with law enforcement agencies in the province. Four arrests were also made in Theunissen.  The suspects include a school principal and three caregivers, says Mondli Mvambi spokesperson for the Free State Department of Health.

Mvambi said one of the contributors to fatalities and injuries during customary initiation is the continued operation of illegal schools in the province. The legislation requires that all customary initiation schools be registered with the PICC three months before the commencement of the initiation season, for them to be regarded as legal, and not operating outside the regulatory framework.

Parents and/or guardians are encouraged to investigate and ensure that the initiation schools where their children are enrolled are registered with PICC and comply with the Customary Initiation Act (No 2 of 2021). Unregistered initiation schools will be regarded as illegal, and legislation will be enforced.

Members of the public may use the following contact details to report any irregularities and illegal initiation schools

Mr Thabo Lehabe: (079) 210 5935 or

Mr Daniel Nteo: (063) 834 7523.