More than 100 initiates have been rescued in initiation schools across the North West following a clampdown on illegal cultural institutions.
The joint operation between the Department Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA)’s Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committees (PICC) and the police in the province led to the closure of 17 initiation schools.
The initiation schools were closed after the administration of extensive oversight visits across the province since the beginning of 2024’s winter initiation season.
The committee inspected the facilities and conducted an extensive verification process of the practitioners’ credentials and found that there were irregularities.
“The PICC has been conducting oversight visits throughout the province since the beginning of the winter season,” the PICC’s chair, Kgosi Gasebone, said.
“We have closed down at least 17 illegal initiation schools and have opened cases against some of the principals.”
-EWN
