The accused appeared before the Theunissen Magistrate’s Court on Monday (14/7), facing charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice, and contravention of the Initiation Schools Act.

The death of Andile Zungulwa (20) has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of illegal initiation schools operating across the Free State.

The case has been postponed to 11 September for further investigations, said Free State National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mojalefa Senokoatsane. All suspects have been remanded in custody until their next appearance.

The accused are alleged to have operated an illegal initiation school in Tamaspruit, near Theunissen, where Zungulwa’s body was discovered on Tuesday (8/7). He had been reported missing since 27 May, after reportedly attending the school without his parents’ consent.

Zungulwa’s family is devastated by the loss. The boy was not permitted to attend during the winter season, his aunt Nontsokolo Zungulwa told the SABC. The family agreed he could only attend during the summer initiation season, but Zungulwa allegedly ran away from the initiation school the same day.

The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs has once again urged parents to verify the registration status of initiation schools before sending their children.

The current initiation season, lasting from 27 June till Friday, has been marred by multiple fatalities. So far, three deaths have been confirmed in the province – one each in Botshabelo, Bethulie, and Theunissen.

‘Recorded 26 initiate deaths last year’

The Free State recorded 26 initiate deaths last year, the second-highest in South Africa. Authorities believe illegal initiation schools are largely to blame and are intensifying efforts to root them out.

“A collaborative effort between the community, the Provincial Initiation Coordinating Committee, and the police has led to the rescue of 21 initiates from an illegal initiation school in Theunissen. The school has since been closed, and the initiates have been reunited with their families. One was hospitalised for medical attention,” said departmental spokesperson Zimasa Mbewu.

Law enforcement has opened six criminal cases in connection with illegal initiation practices this season, including the arrest of four individuals in Theunissen, among them a school principal and three caregivers.

Under the Customary Initiation Act (No. 2 of 2021), all initiation schools must register with the PICC at least three months before the start of the season. Failure to do so renders any such institution illegal.

Members of the public are urged to report illegal initiation schools or irregularities to provincial officials Thabo Lehabe on 079 210 5935 or Daniel Nteo on 063 834 7523.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg