Central SA
40 initiates rescued at bogus initiation school─── ZENANDE MPAME 14:45 Fri, 30 Jun 2023
40 initiates who were abducted and forcibly taken to an initiation school have been freed by the North West police.
The initiates, who ranged in age from 15 to 20, were reported missing, but the kidnappers phoned their families and demanded payment before releasing them.
They had been circumcised by the time the cops arrived.
“Three suspects aged 24, 26, and 30 were arrested and charged with kidnapping and contravening the Customary Initiation Act,” said North West police spokesperson, Amanda Funani.
Parents reported their children to be missing and an investigation led the police to an illegal initiation school between the Ramatlabama and Tsetse villages outside Mahikeng.
"After recruiting these young boys, they would call the parents and demand money to ensure the safety of the victims.
The illegal schools were closed while the boys were taken to a local hospital where they were treated," says Funani.
Bongani Moatlhodi (24), who was arrested at Lonely Park by the Lehurutshe Police appeared at the Lehurutshe Magistrates’ Court today in connection with the kidnapping of a 16-year-old boy. He will reappear on Monday, July 3, 2023.
The other two suspects, aged 26 and 30, are expected to appear in the Molopo Magistrate’s Court in Mmabatho on Monday, for their first court appearance.
