VANDERBIJLPARK – Several young boys have disappeared in the Sedibeng region in what parents believe is a result of pressure into illegal initiation schools that have mushroomed in the area.

On Friday, many initiation chiefs welcomed the start of the summer initiation intake.

While many parents who rightfully applied for their boys, scores are reporting theirs missing or kidnapped.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Solomon ‘Spinaar’ Mofokeng, Gauteng’s Initiation Schools Monitor and the Sedibeng Initiation Traditional Surgeons (SITS) Chairperson said the situation is deteriorating beyond their control.

“We received about eight names of boys who are missing and their parents are really frustrated. What’s shocking now is that not only boys are kidnapped as usual, but even girls go missing. A sixteen-year-old girl is reported to be taken to initiation by her parent, this is really worrying,” he said.

Mofokeng said the number he registered is not final, as law enforcement also registered its own.

“I am going to meet with local SAPS to collect all data on missing teenagers since the start of the summer initiation intake. Soon as we have the numbers, we are going to have a plannery meeting and discuss ways to deal with this growing concern,” he said.

“As soon as a task team comprising of all relevant stakeholders and our numbers are gathered, we will take help those many parents who have issues,” said Mofokeng.

Social media pages like ‘Bophelong/Movhango service delivery issues’ have been flooded with images of teenage boys who recites in the area being reported as missing.

One common response to the parent’s request for assistance is that many boys took to initiation schools.