Some of the initiation school graduates.
Police officers and government officials have shut down seven illegal initiation schools in the Sekhukhune District of Limpopo.
The raid took place after members of the public alerted the authorities about schools operating past the legal closing date.
Basikopo Makamu, the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), welcomed the swift action taken by law enforcement and provincial monitors. He praised the teams for stepping in quickly to uphold the law and protect young people in the province.
Raid Executed Following Public Tip-Off
The joint operation was carried out on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, around the Nebo area in the Hlogotlou Policing Area. Officials from COGHSTA worked directly alongside members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) to execute the raid.
During the operation, authorities discovered seven initiation schools running without proper authorization. The illegal operations included four female initiation schools housing 127 initiates, as well as three male initiation schools housing 115 initiates. In total, 242 young people were found at these non-compliant sites.
All customary initiation schools across Limpopo were legally required to close by 19 July 2026. The schools shut down in Sekhukhune had chosen to remain open past this deadline in direct breach of provincial rules.
## Protecting the Education of Learners
The deadline of 19 July was set after detailed consultations with the Department of Education. This date was selected specifically to align with the start of the third quarter of the 2026 school year, ensuring that young learners could return to their normal studies on time.
MEC Makamu expressed strong disappointment with the owners of the illegal schools, stating that running initiation camps past the set date is a serious violation of the law. He noted that continuing operations beyond the deadline shows a complete lack of regard for the education of the children involved.
He emphasized that the government must act firmly in the best interest of all school-going youth.
Reconnecting Initiates with Families
Following the raids, officials immediately worked to process and protect the young people. Some of the initiates were safely reunited with their parents right away. Others who lived further away were temporarily taken to traditional surgeons and were scheduled to be reunited with their families.
Government monitoring teams will remain on high alert throughout the Sekhukhune District and across Limpopo to search for any other non-compliant initiation schools.
The department continues to urge local communities to stay vigilant. Members of the public are asked to report any initiation school that operates outside the law directly to the police or to local traditional leaders.