Minister’s promise on initiation deaths

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Des Van Rooyen has committed to working with his department’s stakeholders to bring an end to initiation deaths.

He said his ministry will work with role players including parents, traditional leaders, the Health Department, South African Police Service and National Prosecuting Authority during this winter initiation season.

Initiation season began on 24 April 2017, with many young men beginning this sacred cultural journey. With the winter school holidays soon to begin, many potential initiates across the country are expected to join the journey.

Two initiates from KwaMhlanga and Gemsbokspruit in Mpumalanga province have died during this season. Van Rooyen expressed sadness that the two fatalities occurred right at the beginning of the 2017 winter initiation season.

He said traditional leaders, working with other stakeholders, would leave no stone unturned to determine the cause of these deaths.

Deputy Minister Obed Bapela urged communities and those leading the initiation schools to ensure that all initiates complied with the requirements, namely, had parental consent and had undergone medical screening. Initiation schools and traditional surgeons had to be registered, Bapela said.

Initiation reporting hotline: 0800 111 166 or #InitiationDTA.

–SAnews.gov.za