Pretoria - Five initiates from different initiation schools in Tshwane have lost their lives during the winter season.
The City of Tshwane reported that five initiates died in separate incidents in Mabopane, north of Tshwane and Mamelodi, east of Tshwane.
Some initiates passed away in Mabopane due to a fire that burnt down the school, while another initiate was admitted in Mamelodi Hospital and subsequently died due to undisclosed causes.
Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs and Human Settlements MEC Paul Mashatile on Monday sent his condolences to the families of the deceased.
“It is unfortunate that the City has experienced such deaths especially at a time when the province is fighting to curb the scourge of initiates’ deaths,” MEC Mashatile lamented.
He pointed out that it is ironic that these deaths have taken place in Tshwane, which has the highest number of registered legal initiation schools in the province.
“The City is thus far doing well in making sure that initiation schools within its area of jurisdiction adhere to policies and bylaws that govern them. It is therefore unfortunate that such incidents are happening in this municipality,” MEC Mashatile said.
He said the department will continue to do whatever is necessary to ensure that initiates’ deaths become a thing of the past and that there is “Zero tolerance on initiation deaths and illegal initiation schools” during the 2016 Winter Initiation Season and in the future.
The department will also continue to work closely with partners such as the South African Police Services, Department of Health, Department of Social Development, local communities and the Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa to ensure that there is prevention of deaths and injuries during initiation season.
Police are investigating the deaths. - SAnews.gov.za
