Picture: The initiates at initiation school/Generic
By OBAKENG MAJE
A 27-YEAR-OLD initiate died at the initiation school in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke on Thursday afternoon, while 16 initiates were ferried to Taung District Hospital and local clinic in Extension 5 in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke for medical attention.
It is alleged that the initiates suffered from dehydration and hunger.
According to the North West police spokesperson, Captain Aaftje Botma, the police in Amalia opened an inquest docket after the death of the initiate. She said the initiation school was shut down.
“They were released and handed to their parents. However, an incident occurred at a local clinic, where 16 initiates were taken. Some community members protested outside the clinic in demand for the initiates to go back to the school.
“The Public Order Police (POP) members were summoned to the scene. The police then took the 16 initiates to the local police station for their parents to come and fetch them” she said.
Botma further said in the process of removing the initiates, protesters allegedly threw stones at the police vehicles. She added that the police were forced to use rubber bullets to disperse the unruly crowd.
“The crowd ran away and no injuries were reported,” said Botma.
The Guardian 