Pretoria – North West Premier Thandi Modise has expressed sadness at the death of a 17-year-old boy at an initiation school in Christiana on Sunday and called for the prevention of all initiation-related deaths in the province.
“We wish to convey our condolences to the family that lost their loved one and trust that the investigation into circumstances surrounding the death of their son will be speedily concluded for them to find closure,” Modise said.
She reiterated her earlier call for provincial authorities to clamp down on initiation schools that are operating outside the law.
Modise said health screening conducted at registered initiation schools and subsequent check-ups are to ensure that none of the boys die from bleeding from circumcision or dehydration or any other condition that is medically related.
“One death at an initiation school is a death too many. Chancers and those who commit atrocities at initiation schools undermine tradition and culture and should be brought to book,” Modise said.
She called on traditional leaders as custodians of tradition and culture to monitor initiation schools within their areas of jurisdiction and report illegal initiation schools to authorities. – SAnews.gov.za
