By Staff Reporter
BOLOBEDU-A massive crackdown on illegal initiation schools within the Balobedu kingdom has resulted in the immediate shutdown and relocation of 13 illegal initiation schools (Dikoma) across Bolobedu on Friday, 26 June 2026.
The decisive law enforcement action follows an urgent administrative intervention by Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, who officially revoked 13 initiation school permits that had been initially approved by the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC).
Premier Ramathuba’s intervention came after a formal administrative appeal was lodged by Prince Lekukela Modjadji, the brother of Queen Masalanabo Modjadji.
According to a statement issued by Modjadji Royal Family and Council spokesperson Ronnie Moroatshehla, the permits were challenged on the grounds that they were issued unlawfully without proper traditional consultation.
The Royal Family argued that an individual allegedly authorized by Queen Masalanabo to oversee the schools was not of royal blood and was selected merely due to his surname.
Furthermore, the appeal highlighted that the schools were being run under the “Maulwe Royal Council”—which the family labels an unlawful parallel structure operating outside the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act (Act 3 of 2019).
Local Indunas and senior traditional leaders were entirely bypassed during the planning phases.
Following the revocation, a high-stakes joint operational team consisting of provincial initiation school monitors and the South African Police Service (SAPS) swooped in on the identified locations.
The task team closed all 13 non-compliant schools and oversaw the safe evacuation and relocation of 573 initiates to legally recognized, compliant sites. The breakdown of the closures and relocations includes:
* Phokane MD: Relocated three separate illegal operations: 128 initiates from Ga-Ntaka Village and 22 initiates from Maunatlala Village were moved to Relebogeng Private Farm, while 174 initiates from Ramodumo Village were transferred to Ga-Dikgale.
* Raseokgo MT: Relocated 54 initiates from Shawela Village to Capricorn Ga-Malemela.
* Malatji PP: Relocated two operations to Relebogeng Private Farm: 38 initiates from Mookgo Village and 20 initiates from Medinyeni Village.
* Maake RD: Relocated 33 initiates from Mothobeki Village to Ngunyula Farm.
* Leshiba P & Kgatla Q: Transferred 27 initiates from Ramphelo Village and 17 initiates from Kgwekgwe Village respectively to Ga-Leshiba.
* Kgatla MP: Relocated 27 initiates from Bodutle Village to Relebogeng Private Farm.
* Manyama C: Relocated 17 initiates from Lelgwareng Village to Ga-Mathere.
* Nemabulani P: Relocated 9 initiates from Bellevue Village to a legal site in Venda.
* Ramogole MT: Relocated 7 initiates from Rampenyane Village to Driehoek Farm.
The Modjadji Royal Family and Council have warmly welcomed the swift executive shutdown, describing it as a vital victory for lawful traditional governance, public safety, and the true cultural integrity of the Balobedu nation.
Authorities confirmed that following the Friday blitz, no illegal initiation schools remain operational within the boundaries of the Modjadji Queenship. #TzaneenVoice
