Johannesburg - Claims of initiation schools operating illegally in Limpopo are being investigated, the traditional affairs department said on Tuesday.
The probe was being conducted by a team from the provincial house of traditional leaders, the department said in a statement.
The bogus schools were apparently in the Capricorn, Waterberg, Sekhukhune and Mopani districts.
Limpopo's 142 legal initiation schools opened on Friday and are scheduled to close on July 13.
“Although the turnout is still low due to the fact that academic schools have not yet closed; the department heartily thanks all parents and guardians for sending initiates to the schools only when the academic school programme has closed,” the department said.
Traditional affairs MEC Clifford Motsepe advised parents to verify the legitimacy of initiation schools before sending their children.
This was to ensure that the intended cultural objectives were achieved without anyone giving the practice a bad name, said Motsepe.
A working committee on initiations schools had been established in the province.
The committee consisted of officials from Motsepe's department, the health department and the police.
“Their role is to monitor these initiation schools to ensure an incident free season,” he said. - Sapa