By STAFF REPORTER
21 June 2026- The Northern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has acted swiftly following a report of an illegal initiation school operating in Jan Kempdorp. Upon receiving the complaint, the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee (PICC) Chief Surgeon, Mlungisi Masimini attended to the matter and confirmed that the school was illegally accommodating nine minors.
“The group consisted of two girls aged 12 and seven boys between the ages of 15 and 17. The preliminary investigations revealed that three of the boys had already undergone circumcision. The three minors have been referred to hospital for medical examination and assessment to ensure their health and wellbeing.
“The remaining minors are being cared for while awaiting the arrival of their parents or guardians, who have all been contacted.
The illegal initiation school has been immediately shut down and a criminal case has been opened against the owner,” he said.
Masimini further said CoGHSTA strongly condemns the operation of illegal initiation schools, particularly those involving underage children as they place the lives, safety and dignity of initiates at serious risk and are in contravention of the law governing customary initiation practices. He added that the Provincial Initiation Committee (PIC) urges communities, parents and traditional leaders to remain vigilant and to report any suspected illegal initiation activities to the relevant authorities.
“Protecting initiates and preserving the integrity of customary initiation practices remains a collective responsibility,” said Masimini.
The Guardian 