The DA in North West says there are no mechanisms in place for ensuring that communities are able to report illegal initiation schools.
|||Rustenburg – There are no proper mechanisms in place to ensure that illegal initiation schools are reported by the community, the Democratic Alliance in North West said on Wednesday.
“The department of traditional affairs should establish a toll free number where community members can call to alert authorities if any initiation schools have been opened in their areas,” said Tutu Faleni, the party spokesperson on traditional affairs and culture.
Faleni was commenting after Steven Lerumo Gaolathle, 12, was found dead at an initiation school in Rooigrond near Mafikeng on Saturday.
“Lerumo’s body was found with sjambok wounds and burns. The Children’s Act 2005 clearly states that at all times the child’s best interest should be placed first and they should not be subjected to any form of maltreatment and abuse during this process,” he said.
“The DA condemns any unlawful and abusive treatment of children at initiation schools. These schools should be properly monitored to ensure children are protected at all times.”
Faleni commended North West Traditional Affairs MEC Tebogo Modise and the department of health and the police for swiftly closing down the illegal initiation school and for arresting the two owners of the school.
He said as initiation season had begun, it was the responsibility of the department of traditional affairs and culture to ensure that these schools were registered and carried out their functions within the relevant legislative framework.
“The DA is concerned that there are no proper mechanisms in place to ensure that illegal initiation schools are reported to by the community.”
African News Agency
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