Police aim to strengthen government's response to initiation school deaths
The Acting Minister of Police, Firoz Cachalia, convened a meeting with the top brass of the South African Police Service to improve government's response to issues related to initiation schools.
Spokesperson for the Ministry of Police, Kamogelo Mogotsi, said the meeting included the acting National Commissioner, Puleng Dimpane, Deputy National Commissioners, Provincial Commissioners, Premiers and Members of the Executive Councils (MECs) responsible for Community Safety.
She said this followed an engagement convened by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Velenkosini Hlabisa, where stakeholders were brought together.
Mogotsi said it is part of an effort to clamp down on illegal initiation schools, addressing the deaths of initiates, and what role government plays in preventing these incidents while safeguarding legitimate cultural practices.
She said the Deputy National Commissioner, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili, who also serves as the Chairperson of NATJOINTS, presented a comprehensive situational report detailing the number of initiation-related deaths, arrests effected by law enforcement, as well as the number of registered legal initiation schools and those identified as operating unlawfully.
"The meeting welcomed the presentation, noting that it provides a valuable operational picture that will inform targeted interventions by law enforcement and other government departments," said Mogotsi.
The ministry's spokesperson also said that in the discussion, several operational and coordination challenges were highlighted across provinces.
"Provincial Commissioners emphasised the need for stronger coordination between government, law enforcement and all stakeholders responsible for regulating and overseeing initiation schools."
READ MORE
