Minors rescued from illegal initiation school in Gauteng
A Gauteng police operation has led to the rescue of nine boys from an illegal initiation school in Klipgat.
Concerned parents joined authorities, including police teams from Ekurhuleni and Winterveld, crime wardens, officials from the Department of Social Development, and paramedics, in the rescue mission on Thursday.
According to police, at least 60 children were taken from their homes in Ekurhuleni over the past two weeks without their parents’ consent.
The first group of children allegedly arrived on 10 May 2025.
The parents later received phone calls demanding at least R9,000 for the minors to be released.
This woman, who may not be named to protect her child’s identity, said her 15-year-old son disappeared last Thursday.
“My son’s father is Xhosa, we are Zulu and don’t follow these practices. Even if he chose to be initiated, he’ll do it according to his father’s culture, and at the right time, because right now he’s still a minor.
“He’s missing class, exams and tests are being written while he’s in the bush. My mother is worried; she’s always crying and worrying about the child,” she said.
At least two schools were discovered in the bush along Cemetery Road. The entrances to illegal schools are distinctly marked with red, white, yellow, and blue plastic bags tied to thorn trees on either side of the road.
Another woman, whose daughter was also abducted, says she was threatened by a woman who runs the illegal initiation school.
“My child is 16 years old and she went missing on Sunday. Around midnight on Monday, I got a call informing me that my child is in Pretoria at an initiation school. I asked how my child arrived there, and the woman on the phone said she brought herself there. My child doesn’t know Pretoria.
She then told me that since my child is there, I need to give her a R5,500 fine and another R3,500. I told her I’m an unemployed single mother and I simply don’t have the money. “
She said she was warned that if she didn’t pay the money, and her daughter failed to complete the initiation process, the child would go mad.
“I told her I don’t care. I just want my child back, and they must not touch her.”
Three girls escaped from one of the initiation schools on Wednesday and Thursday before they were taken to the Klipgat police station by residents.
No arrests have been made.
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