Initiation school investigation continues

By Odette Ismail
23 October 2006

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Right’s Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Minorities (CRLC) said that more community on board is needed before making policy recommendations on initiation schools.

Speaking at the last of four public hearings, Chairperson Dr Mongezi Guma said that there are certain issues to work out before anything can be finalised.

He revealed according to News24 that likely additional hearings will take place in the Western Cape, western part of Eastern Cape as well as Mpumalanga.

The aim of the hearings held by the CRLC and the SA Human Rights Commission is to help the commissions to make policy recommendations to focus on making initiation processes a bit safer.

It was reported that over 200 initiates had died and over a hundred others had to have full or partial penile amputations in the Eastern Cape only in 2001.

Traditional healers, traditional leaders, education department officials and the general public were all present at these hearings.

The hearing is expected to continue on Wednesday.