Bid to make initiation season in Limpopo free of incidents

Traditional leaders push for harsher penalties

Traditional leaders in Limpopo have called for harsher punishment for those running illegal initiations schools.

The chairman of the provincial House of Traditional Leaders, Chief Malesela Dikgale, said yesterday current sanctions were not enough to deter illegal operators.

Dikgale spoke during a briefing with the provincial Department of Co-operative, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs ahead of the initiation season that kicks off tomorrow until July 17.

This year, the province has 272 registered initiation schools, after having received 294 applications.

Those found operating illegal schools risked a fine of between R2500 and R5000 and also face the possibility of a two-year prison sentence, Dikgale said. “The punishment is too lenient,” he said, noting they were eager to see the legislature pass the 2014 bill that will make it possible for harsher sentences and fines.

About 154 schools registered this year are for male initiates, while 118 will cater for females. Dikgale said they were expecting a smaller number of initiates compared to previous years. “We hope that the number will not be as big this year. The bigger the number, the more problems we have.”

Dikgale said out of 294 schools that had applied for registration, only 22 had been turned downed. Schools are approved on their submission of a certificate of fitness, an environmental report and a letter from the local traditional council, among other things.

Dikgale urged parents to verify the legitimacy of the schools before sending their children out for initiation.

“There will be zero-tolerance to people who want to take chances by running initiation

‘‘ We will work with law enforcement agencies to prevent loss of young lives

schools without permits. We will work with law enforcement agencies to prevent loss of young lives.”

Member of the working committee on initiation schools Chief Seshego Sekororo said the current enrolment age of 12 years in the province was guided by sacred cultural practices.

“Certain things are sacred and we cannot tell members of the public,” Sekororo said.

/ ELIJAR MUSHIANA Limpopo initiates, such as this group from GaRaphahlelo village near Modjadjiskloof, will in future be protected by stiffer penalties for illegal operators, as proposed by traditional leaders.