Initiations death toll now at 37

The DA is deeply saddened by the news of the death of an initiate, Tshepo Moremi in Bronkhorstspruit, Gauteng. This brings the death toll of young initiates to 37, in the last month alone. According to media reports, the police in Bronkhorstspruit are not investigating Moremi's death pending the outcome of the post-mortem. 

Moremi - who was 14 years old - was part of a group of boys who were lured into an illegal initiation school without the consent of their guardians. When his mother, Zelishiya Moremi discovered him at the school, she was told that she would have to pay R500 if she wanted to see her son alive. Two days later she was contacted by the police and asked to come identify her son's body.

The South African Police Services (SAPS) must be immediately investigate Tshepo Moremi's death and shut down the initiation school where he died until the investigation is complete. The DA will contact Gauteng Police Commissioner, Mzwandile Petros today requesting that he sees to it that this happens.

The DA reiterates the call for the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Richard Baloyi to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the deaths of the initiates in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and now Gauteng. How many more young men must die before government takes action?

South Africans need to be reassured that they can take part in cultural practices without fear of poor health standards. We need to protect our people at all costs. 

Statement issued by George Boinamo, Shadow Deputy Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, May 31 2013

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