Authorities have rescued 67 boys and shut down 14 illegal initiation schools across North West province as the 2025 winter initiation season begins, in a determined effort to protect young initiates from dangerous and unlawful practices.
The operation was spearheaded by the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) in collaboration with the South African Police Service (SAPS), targeting unlawful institutions in the Bojanala Platinum, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, and Ngaka Modiri Molema Districts.
The raids uncovered alarming activities, including the abduction of boys and ransom demands by unscrupulous school principals operating outside the bounds of the Customary Initiation Act of 2021.
In the Tigane area near Klerksdorp, two schools were found functioning without the required legal documentation, leading to their immediate closure.
Deputy Chairperson Andries Stemmer of the PICC strongly condemned these violations, stressing the committee’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of young initiates while upholding cultural traditions in a safe and regulated manner.
Legal proceedings have been launched against the operators of the illegal schools, and the PICC has pledged to intensify inspections and enforcement throughout the initiation season to prevent further unlawful activities.
This decisive action sends a clear message of zero tolerance for illegal initiation practices, reinforcing the province’s dedication to protecting children and respecting cultural rites responsibly.
