Boipelo Mere
Swift action by the Northern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) led to the shutting down of an illegal initiation school in Jan Kempdorp after three underage boys were referred to hospital for medical attention on 20 June 2026.
It was discovered that the school was accommodating nine initiates, comprising of two girls aged 12 and seven boys between the ages of 15 and 17.
Departmental spokesperson Babalwa Mzambo said the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) Chief Surgeon, Mlungisi Masimini, immediately attended to the matter and confirmed that the school was illegal.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that three of the boys had already undergone circumcision, and have been referred to hospital for medical examination and assessment to ensure their health and wellbeing.
“The remaining minors are being cared for while awaiting the arrival of their parents or guardians, who have all been contacted,” Mzambo elaborated.
Mzambo confirmed that that a criminal case has been opened against the owner of the school after it’s shutting down.
CoGHSTA strongly condemns the operation of illegal initiation schools, particularly those involving underage children, as they place the lives, safety and dignity of initiates at serious risk and are in contravention of the law governing customary initiation practices.
The Initiation Committee urges communities, parents and traditional leaders to remain vigilant and to report any suspected illegal initiation activities to the relevant authorities.
“Protecting initiates and preserving the integrity of customary initiation practices remains a collective responsibility,” warns CoGHSTA.
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