Pretoria - Government has called on all initiation schools across the county to ensure that precautionary health measures are exercised to minimise illnesses and death.
“Government encourages all stakeholders to work together to create better and safe initiation schools that will ensure the safe passage of young initiates to manhood and prevent the unfortunate loss of lives,” Acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) CEO, Phumla Williams said.
Government’s call comes after 23 initiates died in the Mpumalanga towns of Evander, Middelburg, Belfast, Kwaggafontein, Siyabuswa, Verena and KwaMhlanga.
According to police, the deaths have taken place at legal initiation schools since last Wednesday. Police have opened 23 murder cases but no one has been arrested so far.
Government conveyed its deepest condolences to the families and communities that have lost their sons.
The Mpumalanga government MEC for the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Simon Skhosana who also conveyed condolences appealed for and urge residents to respect the sensitivity around the traditional practices of initiation.
In a statement, the MEC said they are working closely with the Department of Health to ensure the safety of initiates.
“The Department’s Disaster Management Centre has provided tents that are used by Department of Health officials as mobile clinics in some of the initiation schools.These tents are spread across all areas in the province where there are initiation schools,” said Skhosana. – SAnews.gov.za
