The North West Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) has confirmed the deaths of two initiates in Klerksdorp, in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District. One of the victims was attending an unregistered initiation school, while the other was enrolled at a legally compliant facility.
In a statement issued by the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, MEC Oageng Molapisi expressed concern over the continued loss of life linked to initiation schools in the province. He urged all stakeholders to work together to prevent further tragedies and appealed to parents to remain vigilant and ensure that their children attend only legally registered schools.
Authorities have intensified enforcement efforts across the province, shutting down seven illegal initiation schools and rescuing 68 initiates. Some of the rescued boys have been reunited with their families, while others have been transferred to accredited schools to complete the initiation process.
Six suspects have been arrested and charged with contravening Section 33 of the Customary Initiation Act of 2021. Meanwhile, the principal of another illegal initiation school in Mahikeng remains on the run.
The PICC says it will continue with strict monitoring and inspections as the summer initiation season reaches its peak, with initiates expected to return home from the first week of January 2026. All initiation schools are expected to close by 9 January 2026.
