By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2025- The North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi has commended members of the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) for their swift and coordinated response that led to the safe rescue of 64 initiates (male and female) and shut down of five illegal initiation schools, which operated in three districts.
Molapisi said the successful operation which began last week, resulted in rescuing 14 male initiates in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District, 15 in Ngaka Modiri Molema District and 24 male initiates and 11 female initiates from bogus initiation schools.
“Our PICC members acted with precision and urgency. We applaud their proactive approach in ensuring the safety of our initiates. We will leave no stone unturned in dealing decisively with unregistered and illegal initiation schools in the province.
“We urge communities and parents to remain alert and report any suspicious or unregistered initiation activities to authorities without delay. The PICC and the department have embarked on campaigns to make our people aware of the Customary Initiation Act and processes to follow to register the initiation school and comply,” he said.
Molapisi further said the time for complacency is over. He added that they are going to shut down all illegal schools and safeguard the lives of the young people.
“If you want to operate an initiation you must comply” concluded Molapisi.
The Guardian 