Johannesburg - The recent deaths of initiates in Mpumalanga and Limpopo are unacceptable, the Centre for Child Law (CCL) said on Friday.
“ 1/8We are 3/8 encouraged by the statements of President Jacob Zuma and (Health) Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, condemning the recent deaths of initiates in Mpumalanga and Limpopo,” the CCL said in a statement.
“The CCL also finds the deaths unacceptable and supports the president and minister’s views that the deaths were unnecessary, and measures should be put in place to ensure that such events do not recur.”
It said it hoped Motsoaledi would encourage provincial health MECs to take the appropriate steps to plan and put preventative measures in place.
This was to ensure initiation schools were properly regulated and complied with standards set by various provincial legislation.
The proper implementation of the law was also necessary to protect children and communities from what Motsoaledi called “culturepreneurs”, the CCL said.
“The CCL is undertaking research on the provincial legislation that regulate initiation schools and how these should be linked with the provisions of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005,” the centre said.
This was to ensure that cultural practices took place under conditions that protected children’s rights.
At least 28 boys died in initiation schools in Mpumalanga this year, and six in Limpopo. - Sapa