Nine Boys Rescued from Illegal Initiation School Amid Ongoing Investigations

By Rihlelo ra mahungu

Eastern Cape, South Africa – In a dramatic rescue operation, nine boys were recovered from an illegal initiation school in the Eastern Cape following reports of more than 60 children missing. Authorities are now intensifying efforts to locate the remaining boys and dismantle the illegal initiation syndicate believed to be behind the abductions.

The rescue comes after weeks of anxiety and sleepless nights for the families of the missing boys. According to police sources, the children were allegedly transported in unmarked minibuses to remote bush areas without parental consent or proper authorization from traditional initiation regulatory bodies.

The practice of traditional initiation, or “ulwaluko,” is a long-standing cultural rite of passage among many communities in South Africa. However, recent years have seen a sharp rise in the number of illegal schools operating outside regulatory frameworks, leading to a surge in deaths, injuries, and cases of abduction and abuse.

The Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) confirmed that the illegal school where the boys were found was operating without approval from any recognized traditional council. The area has since been cordoned off by authorities, and criminal charges are expected to be brought against those responsible.

“We can confirm that nine boys were rescued during a joint operation by the South African Police Service (SAPS), traditional leaders, and community policing forums,” said provincial SAPS spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu. “We believe these boys were part of a larger group of about 60 children who had been missing for more than two weeks. The rescued boys are now receiving medical attention and counselling.”

According to reports, the illegal initiation school was discovered in a secluded forested area near Libode. Authorities were tipped off by community members who noticed unusual activity and the sounds of crying and chanting from the location. When officers and traditional monitoring teams arrived, they found the boys in poor physical condition, with some showing signs of dehydration, hunger, and physical abuse.

One of the boys reportedly told rescuers they had been taken from their homes late at night and promised they would return soon. “They said we were going for a short journey, but then they brought us here. We didn't know where we were, and some of us were very scared,” the boy reportedly told officials.

The rescue has reignited calls from civic organisations and child protection groups for tougher enforcement of initiation regulations and stricter prosecution of illegal operators. The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has also expressed outrage at the incident and emphasized its commitment to rooting out illegal schools that bring shame to sacred cultural practices.

“This is a disgraceful abuse of culture. These criminals are hiding behind tradition to exploit, harm, and endanger the lives of our youth. We call for their immediate arrest and prosecution. Traditional initiation should be sacred, safe, and respected – not turned into a death trap,” said Contralesa spokesperson Chief Xolile Nqatha.

The Eastern Cape Premier’s Office issued a statement confirming that social workers have been deployed to assist the rescued boys and support their families. The provincial government also committed to intensifying monitoring of known initiation sites and conducting random inspections.

“Parents must also be vigilant and report any suspicious activity related to illegal initiations. We cannot afford to lose more children because of greed and negligence,” said MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Williams.

Meanwhile, the families of the rescued boys have expressed relief, but many are still anxious about the fate of the remaining children.

“I thank God my child was found, but I’m still heartbroken for the other families. I hope the police don’t stop until every single child is back home,” said one emotional mother.

Police say the rescued boys are being kept in a secure location where they will receive continued medical treatment, psychological support, and interviews with investigators to help identify the perpetrators and determine the full scale of the illegal operation.

It is believed that some of the abductors may have posed as legitimate initiation leaders to gain the trust of the children. The illegal operators allegedly charged exorbitant fees from parents under false pretenses, adding a criminal financial element to the case.

As investigations continue, SAPS has urged anyone with information about illegal initiation schools or missing children to come forward. Tips can be reported anonymously.

If you have information that can assist police with this case or know the whereabouts of other missing boys, please contact:

Crime Stop: 08600 10111

MySAPSApp: Available on all app stores for anonymous reporting

Nearest police station

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Traditional Initiation in South Africa: A Culture Under Threat?

While ulwaluko remains a significant tradition among Xhosa, Sotho, and other communities, its legitimacy and safety have come under fire in recent years. More than 400 boys have died in initiation-related incidents in the past decade, and thousands more have suffered injuries ranging from amputations to long-term psychological trauma.

Civil society, government bodies, and traditional councils continue to grapple with how to protect the sanctity of the practice while eliminating criminal elements who operate outside the law. Education, legal reform, and community engagement are widely seen as critical to ending the crisis.