North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Oageng Molapisi, is calling for an urgent police investigation, following the death of 19-year-old initiate, Onalenna Booi, from Dithakong village near Mahikeng.
The matric learner from Tiego Tawana Secondary School in Dithakong East Village passed away after undergoing the customary initiation at Dithakong village in Mahikeng.
According to reports, Booi was allegedly forcefully initiated, then collapsed during the pass-out ceremony last weekend and was certified dead at the home of the initiation principal.
Booi’s family was not aware about his whereabouts and had reported him missing at the police.
Molapisi has appealed for a speedy investigation to establish the cause of Booi’s death and to determine if all regulations as per the Customary Initiation Act of 2021 were followed.
“We send our deepest condolences to the Booi family and wish them strength during this difficult period.
We also appeal to the SAPS to speedily investigate the circumstances that led to his tragic death.
If the postmortem results indicate foul play, those responsible must be arrested immediately and face prosecution.
Where possible, the National Prosecuting Authority must impose a harsher sentence so that this serves as a deterrent to those who want to contaminate our sacred cultural practices,” said MEC Molapisi.
The death of Booi brings to three the total number of initiates who have died in the province during this season.
The department said a case has been opened with the SAPS and no arrests have been made at this stage.
Booi’ school principal, Pogiso Tshipo, has expressed shocked, adding that he was expecting a bachelor from him.
“As the school principal for this learner, I am extremely devastated by this sad news. I was expecting a bachelor pass from this learner because I know that he was one of the hard-working group of learners. I remember that I spoke to him around September 2025, and he promised to do well in his examinations,” remarked Tshipo.
Education MEC Viola Motsumi, has also sent a message of condolences to Booi’s family, adding that they’ll ensure that the family, learners, and teachers are provided with psychosocial support during this difficult period.
The pass-out of initiates began two weeks ago and will continue until all initiation schools close on 09 January 2026.
According to the department, the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee has shut down seven illegal initiation schools and rescued 68 initiates, leading to the arrest of six people for contravening Section 33 of the Customary Initiation Act of 2021.
Meanwhile, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa, has revealed that 41 initiates have died across the country during this summer season, with the Eastern Cape recording the highest number of casualties.
