Picture: Over 40 initiates rescued from bogus initiation school in Tsetse village, near Mahikeng/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
Three suspects aged 24 and 30 were arrested for kidnapping and contravention of the Custom Initiation Act, (2021 Act No 2 of 2021) in Mahikeng and Lehurutshe on Thursday. The suspects allegedly mobilised unsuspecting young boys from villages around Mahikeng and Lehurutshe to join the initiation school.
The North West police spokesperson, Lieutenant Col Amanda Funani said, after recruiting these young boys, the suspects would allegedly call the parents and demand money for the safety of the victims. Funani further said the suspects were arrested after parents reported missing children at Mahikeng and Lehurutshe Police Stations.
“The investigations led the police to an illegal initiation school near or between Ramatlabama and Tsetse villages, outside Mahikeng. Consequently, about 40 initiates between the ages of 15 and 20 were rescued. The illegal school was closed, and the boys were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated.
“Bongani Moatlhodi (24), who was arrested at Lonely Park by the Lehurutshe police, briefly appeared at Lehurutshe Magistrate’s Court in connection with the kidnapping of a boy (16). The other two suspects aged 26 and 30 are expected to appear in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho on Monday,” she said.
Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police for acting swiftly to rescue the boys and arrest the suspects.
TaungDailyNews 