Mthatha initiate dies as Mbhashe Municipality urges crackdown on illegal initiation schools

The Mbhashe Local Municipality has expressed its condolences following the death of an initiate from Willowvale, while calling on communities to ensure that all initiation schools operate legally.

In a statement issued on Monday, 13 July, the municipality said it had received the news of the initiate’s passing “with deep sadness” and extended its condolences to the family, traditional leadership and the affected community.

The municipality said the Mbhashe Initiation Forum is working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), the Department of Health and the Amathole District Municipality Initiation Forum to help ensure the safety of initiates.

It added that the Office of the Speaker, together with the Initiation Forum, has sent a delegation to visit the bereaved family to offer support and ensure they receive the necessary social services during this difficult time.

The municipality appealed to parents, amakhankatha, iingcibi and traditional leaders to ensure that all initiation schools operating in the Mbhashe area are registered and comply with the law.

It warned that illegal initiation schools place the lives of initiates at risk and said those responsible would face the full might of the law.

According to the statement, monitoring and support visits to all registered initiation schools in Mbhashe will be intensified for the remainder of the initiation season in partnership with relevant stakeholders.

The municipality also thanked traditional leaders and registered initiation schools for continuing to uphold the custom with dignity and care, while urging residents to report any suspected illegal initiation schools to SAPS.

“We join the community in mourning. May the young initiate rest in peace,” the statement concluded.