The police in Mahikeng and Lehurutshe in North West have arrested three men for operating an illegal initiation school.
The suspects, aged between 24 and 30, were nabbed on Thursday for being in violation of the Custom Initiation Act.
On Friday, twenty-four-year-old Bongani Moatlhodi took the stand at the Lehurutshe magistrate’s court after he was implicated in the kidnapping of a teenage boy. His accomplices are due in the Molopo magistrate’s court in Mmabatho on Monday.
Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Amanda Funani explained: “According to information received, the suspects were arrested after parents reported missing children at Mahikeng and Lehurutshe police stations.
“Investigations led the police to an illegal initiation school near or between Ramatlabama and Tsetse villages outside Mahikeng.”
Funani detailed what the preliminary investigations revealed.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the three suspects mobilised unsuspecting young boys from villages around Mahikeng and Lehurutshe to join the initiation school.
“Moreover, and after recruiting these young boys, they would call the parents and demand money for the safety of their children.
“Consequently, about 40 initiates between the ages of 15 and 20 were rescued. The illegal schools were closed while the boys were taken to a local hospital where they were treated.”
North West provincial police commissioner Lieutenant-General Sello Kwena lauded members of the police for acting swiftly and rescuing boys, as well as for the arrests.
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