By Theodorah Waga Mawasha
KGAPANE-A 6-year-old initiate believed to be from Setlaleng village, Bolobedu, in the Greater Letaba Municipality, allegedly lost his life at the said initiation school on Monday, 27 June. It is alleged that the minor was epileptic.
Although the of the Department of Cooperative Governance Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs(CoGHSTA), Basikopo Makamu, issued a stern warning to initiation schools to adhere to the rules and regulations outlined by the department, stipulating that minors under the age of 12 must not be admitted to initiation schools, most schools don’t follow these directives.
The parents of the victim are reported to have allowed the deceased to undertake in the traditional practice, without considering the repercussions. The minister has condemned the parents and the initiation school’s ring leaders in the harshest of terms for their actions.
“This is a devastating development. We have been, since the beginning of this initiation season begging for parents to play an active role in adhering to the law that governs initiation schools. We condemn in the harshest of terms the admission of children that are underage at initiation schools for this exact reason “, Makamu said.
Meanwhile, traditional caregivers and surgeons operating at the school have been suspended and the initiation school shut down immediately.
The matter was handed over to Kgapane police station for further investigation
