South African Police Service (SAPS) members rescued more than 200 boys who were sent to the mountains for circumcision at an illegal initiation school in Mshongo, Atteridgeville on Tuesday, July 12, 2023. The boys were transported to a hospital in the area to receive medical treatment.
The rescue operation was launched after SAPS members received a tip-off from an anonymous source about the whereabouts of the illegal initiation school. The officers responded swiftly to the information and went to a mountain in Mshongo, where they found more than 50 young boys who had been circumcised at the school.
The boys were in various states of health, and some of them were in need of immediate medical attention. The officers transported the boys to the Kalafong Hospital in Mshongo, where they were treated by medical personnel. The boys were given food and water, and they were also given psychological support. No arrests have been made at this time, but the investigation into the illegal initiation school is ongoing. The SAPS is urging anyone with information about the school to come forward.
The rescue of the boys is a significant victory in the fight against illegal initiation schools. These schools are often dangerous, and they can lead to serious health problems for the boys who are circumcised there. The SAPS is committed to shutting down these schools and protecting the boys who are at risk.
If you see something, say something. If you know of an illegal initiation school, please report it to the police. You can also report illegal initiation schools anonymously by calling the SAPS Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Together, we can help to stop illegal initiation schools and keep our boys safe.