Kimberley - A young woman was stoned and beaten to death at an initiation school in Hartswater, near Kimberley, Northern Cape police said on Wednesday.
Gabaediwe Motsage, 22, was murdered, allegedly by her fellow initiates and the school's head on Tuesday, Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana said.
Ten people, all female and aged between 13 and 30, were arrested and would appear in the Hartswater Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Motsage was admitted to the initiation school on Monday, but escaped the next day.
“The reason as to why she decided to escape is not clear at this stage.”
After she ran away, the initiates, along with the initiation school master fetched her from home - allegedly because they were concerned she would reveal secrets of the initiation process.
“The investigation reveals that the deceased refused to go back to the initiation school, but the initiates and the (school master) pleaded with her to go back and complete the initiation processes.”
Upon arrival, Motsage was stoned and beaten to death.
“She sustained multiple head injuries and bruises on the body as a result of being stoned and sjambokked.” - Sapa