Picture: (Initiates led home after the shutdown of bogus school)

A 40 YEAR-old initiate died at initiation school in Dihatshwane village outside Mahikeng on Thursday. Thataone John Letshabo allegedly suffered severe complications.

Letshabo died at a bogus initiation school and other fifteen initiates were released after the culture, art and traditional affairs department (CATA) shut down the initiation school.

The provincial initiation team representative, Kgosi Thari Maotwe said: “We need to do everything according to the legislative rules. If we find that your school is not compliant, we will shut it down immediately. We conduct workshops on legislation to teach people how these schools operate to avoid any eventuality.”

MEC for CATA, Ontlametse Mochware strongly condemned illegal practices contravening legislative provisions.

“We are calling on all communities to report any illegal initiation school to the nearest police station. They can also visit our departmental offices including traditional authorities in their locale,” Mochware said.

 Fifteen initiates were in good state of health. At Least seven illegal initiation schools were shut down in the province since the beginning of May.

North West police spokesperson, Col Sabata Mokgwabone said they were investigating case of inquest. He said the investigation was underway to determine the cause of death.

“We have opened a case of inquest after the death of an initiate at the school. According to information, the deceased was allegedly found death on Thursday morning,” Mokgwabone said.

-TDN

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