NW police caution against illegal initiation schools

In the North West police say they are receiving an increased number of complaints from parents and traditional leaders about alleged abductions of young boys, who are then taken to unregistered and unregulated initiation schools.

The season, often marked by cultural pride and family tradition, has once again raised concerns over illegal practices, unsafe conditions, and the involvement of underage boys without parental consent.

“The SAPS is therefore, calling upon the public, parents, Traditional Authorities and other relevant government agencies including municipalities, Departments of Cooperative Governance & Traditional Affairs, and Health to work closely together in ensuring that all the initiation schools operate and comply with the provisions of the Customary Initiation Act,” said North West police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone.

This warning comes as Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Prince Zolile Burns-Ncamashe, concluded a three-day oversight visit to initiation schools in the Eastern Cape — a province with one of the highest rates of fatalities and injuries related to initiation practices.

The oversight programme, which took place from Monday to Wednesday in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, Buffalo City Metro, and the Amathole Region, focused on ensuring that initiation schools are operating legally and safely.

The campaign forms part of government’s strengthened efforts under the theme: “Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila” — meaning Let them go and return alive. The message is aimed at eliminating preventable deaths and abuses at initiation schools.

Key areas assessed during the visit included:

Verification of registered and legal initiation schools

Health and safety standards at initiation sites

Training and vetting of traditional surgeons and caregivers

Emergency preparedness, including ambulance access

Prevention of illegal abductions and underage initiations

Community education and compliance awareness

 Burns-Ncamashe stressed the importance of fully enforcing the Customary Initiation Act and urged all stakeholders — including families and traditional leaders — to report illegal schools and unsafe practices.

“We must never normalise loss of life during initiation. Each fatality is a painful loss to a family, to a community, and to the nation. The law is clear, and so must be our collective resolve. Let us ensure that Mabaye Bephila, Babuye Bephila is not a slogan, but a reality,” he said.

Police have called on communities to be vigilant and report any suspicious initiation activities to their nearest SAPS station. 

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