The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has set up a Web page to address the scourge of fly-by-night initiation schools.
According to Cogta, at least 18 boys were rescued from illegal initiation schools in Orange Farm this month. In addition, during this winter season, five deaths have been reported thus far.
The launch of the initiation Web page is part of Cogta's strategy to curb deaths at initiation schools and to ensure that the culture is practised within the law.
Initiation practice is regarded as a sacred cultural rite of passage intended to prepare initiates for the responsibilities of adulthood.
The Web page will enable Gauteng citizens to report suspicious initiation schools in their areas and be able to access all materials or publications on the practice of initiation.
Cogta department head Brightboy Nkontwana says the abduction of initiates by unscrupulous traditional surgeons to illegal initiation schools must end. "We are a government at work and people's lives matter to us."
According to the department, community members can also contact the national initiation toll-free number on 0800 11 11 66 to report any initiation issues.
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