SAPS urge parents to report missing children directly instead of using social media

Colonel Khuselwa Matrose, the commander of the eMbalenhle Police Station, has raised serious concerns about parents reporting missing children on social media, only to later learn that they were taken to initiation schools without their consent.

Matrose raised the issue during the Mpumalanga legislature’s Africa Public Service Day celebration at the eMbalenhle Sasol Club on June 19. She urged parents to report such incidents directly to the police rather than relying on social media.

“We face a growing problem of boys being taken to initiation schools without their parents’ permission,” Matrose said. She added that several cases were opened.

“It is disappointing to see parents post about their missing children online instead of coming to the station to report the case. Abducting children for initiation is unlawful and must be reported,” Matrose said.

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Last week, eMbalenhle community members, the Vukanini Taxi Association and a local security company collected 100 boys from initiation schools at the Cedarmont and Holmdene farms in Standerton. The community destroyed both initiation schools, accusing the leaders of illegally initiating children without parental consent.

“Every winter, the SAPS from eMbalenhle, eMzinoni, Kinross and Sakhile accompany parents to collect children taken by force or voluntarily sent to Basotho initiation schools in Cedarmont, Holmdene and Val,” Matrose said.

Matrose also urged the community to work closely with the police to help combat crime, especially during the initiation season.

Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has declared zero tolerance for illegal initiation schools and urges parents to take full responsibility for their children during this traditional rite of passage.

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MEC Speedy Mashilo issued a warning to those planning to operate unauthorised initiation schools, “It is disheartening that despite awareness campaigns, some continue to run illegal schools. Parents must ensure these schools are registered and that their children undergo medical screening before enrolment,” Mashilo said.

According to the department, all senior traditional leaders receive a list of approved initiation schools within their jurisdiction. CoGHSTA’s acting dead, Samkelo Ngubane, emphasised that initiation is voluntary and must never be forced on anyone.

“Section 28 of the Customary Initiation Act of 2021 clearly states that taking children to initiation schools without parental consent is illegal. Anyone found doing so will face the full force of the law,” Ngubane said.

This year, the department received 405 applications for initiation schools. It approved 403 and rejected two for non-compliance.

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The official initiation period is June 21 to July 21. Any school operating outside this timeframe will be deemed illegal, and offenders will face prosecution.

Mashilo reiterated that only a qualified medical practitioner or a trained traditional surgeon who understands the child’s cultural and social background should perform circumcisions.

The department partners with senior traditional leaders, the Ingoma Forum, the Ingoma Task Team, the Department of Health, and the SAPS to ensure safe and lawful initiation practices across the province.

The public is urged to immediately report suspicious activity or illegal initiation schools to the relevant authorities.