-Staff Writer | Wed, 10 Dec 2025
Over 60 initiation recruits were rescued from five illegal initiation schools operating across three districts in the North West, following a swift, coordinated operation by the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) aimed at shutting down unregistered and unlawful practices.
The operation, which began last week, led to the safe removal of both male and female initiates from initiation schools operating outside the law. Fourteen male recruits were rescued in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 15 males in the Ngaka Modiri Molema District, while the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District accounted for the largest number, with 24 males and 11 females rescued.
MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Gaoage Molapisi, has praised the PICC for what he described as a decisive and proactive intervention that prevented potential harm to the initiates.
“Our PICC members acted with precision and urgency. We commend their commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of our initiates,” Molapisi said. “We will leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with unregistered and illegal initiation schools in the province.”
The MEC warned that the provincial government would intensify its crackdown on illegal initiation practices, stressing that compliance with the Customary Initiation Act was non-negotiable.
He further called on parents, guardians and community members to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious or unregistered initiation activities to the authorities without delay.
“The PICC and the department have embarked on awareness campaigns to educate communities about the Customary Initiation Act and the processes required to register initiation schools,” Molapisi said.
“The time for complacency is over. We are going to shut down all illegal schools and safeguard the lives of our young people. If you want to operate an initiation school, you must comply.”
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said enforcement operations would continue throughout the initiation season to ensure the safety of initiates and adherence to the law.
News Junction (Gold Standard)