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| PHOTO: TEBOGO LETSIE |
As winter blankets the North West province, a different kind of chill has swept across communities not from the weather, but from the harrowing discoveries linked to illegal initiation schools. In a sweeping operation that marks the beginning of the 2025 winter initiation season, authorities have rescued 67 boys and shut down 14 unlawful initiation schools.
Behind the statistics lies a deeper story of tradition, exploitation, and the ongoing effort to reclaim safety and dignity in one of South Africa’s most sacred cultural rites.
The Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC), working alongside the South African Police Service (SAPS), launched a coordinated crackdown across the Bojanala Platinum, Dr Kenneth Kaunda, and Ngaka Modiri Molema districts. Their mission? To enforce the Customary Initiation Act of 2021 and put a stop to rogue operations endangering young lives.
What they found was chilling: reports of boys being abducted, parents being asked for ransom, and untrained practitioners carrying out life-threatening procedures.
In Tigane, near Klerksdorp, two schools were operating completely off the books without permits, oversight, or any concern for safety protocols. These schools were shut down immediately.
Such findings are unfortunately not isolated. Since early 2024, dozens of illegal schools have popped up across the province. Last July, two boys tragically lost their lives in these makeshift camps, drawing national outrage and renewed calls for action.
Deputy Chairperson Andries Stemmer of the PICC has been vocal about the committee’s mission: to protect young initiates while upholding the dignity of traditional practices. He stressed that these rogue schools not only break the law they betray the very cultural values they claim to represent.
In a disturbing twist, Stemmer’s own son was reportedly targeted by illegal operators, highlighting just how personal and widespread the threat has become.
Legal proceedings have already begun against several school operators, and more arrests are expected as investigations continue. The PICC, backed by national departments like CoGTA, is stepping up random inspections, community education, and school compliance training.
This zero-tolerance approach sends a clear message: cultural tradition is not a shield for criminal behavior.
Local communities have played a pivotal role in exposing these operations. From Lichtenburg to Coligny, residents have tipped off authorities, helping save lives in the process. Traditional councils and leaders particularly those aligned with Contralesa are urging parents to verify initiation school credentials before enrolling their sons.
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