No arrests for illegal initiation schools

Mashatile’s reply to legislature ‘disturbing’

Gauteng police have failed to arrest the people who operate illegal initiation schools.

This was revealed by Gauteng cooperative governance and traditional affairs MEC Paul Mashatile in a written reply to questions from the DA in the provincial legislature.

At least four young men died in the province during winter at illegal initiation schools.

“In summer, the province recorded 27 illegal initiation schools, while nine were legit. Meanwhile, in winter, the province had 48 legal schools and 40 were illegal,” Mashatile said in his response.

Mashatile said Tshwane had 46 illegal schools, followed by Ekurhuleni with two.

DA spokesman on cooperative governance and traditional affairs Makashule Gana said Mashatile appeared not to be worried that there had been no arrests for the deaths or for the illegal schools.

“It is most disturbing that despite the numerous ‘interventions’ and legal frameworks MEC Mashatile cited in his reply to the DA this year, young men continue to die and their families and loved ones have no closure,” he said.

Gauteng police spokeswoman Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said police were working closely with relevant stakeholders to curb and raise awareness about illegal initiation schools.

“In the matter of deaths at initiation schools, police will investigate the circumstances around any particular death and where suspects are known, they will definitely be arrested,” Peters said.