 (1).png){kind=spacer}
2 days ago
2
Limpopo government said six initiates were injured after a fire broke out at a private initiation school in Tzaneen’s Maake Village on Tuesday.
Gallo Images / Sowetan / Antonio Muchave
- A fire broke out at a private initiation school in Tzaneen’s Maake Village in Limpopo, injuring six initiates and the traditional surgeon.
- The fire occurred late on Tuesday night, displacing 18 remaining initiates, who have since been relocated to another school.
- MEC Basikopo Makamu expressed deep concern, affirming continued government efforts to ensure adherence to safety laws during initiation seasons.
Six initiates and a traditional surgeon were injured when an initiation school caught fire at Maake Village, outside Tzaneen, Limpopo.
The fire broke out on Tuesday evening at a registered private initiation school.
According to the Limpopo Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, the school reported that the surgeon, who also serves as the principal of the initiation school, and his initiates were asleep when a massive blaze woke them up at around 23:00.
“While the fire was ultimately contained, a total of seven people sustained injuries from the blaze,” said the department’s spokesperson, Amos Phago.
“The five initiates are in a stable condition at Dr CN Phatudi Hospital, while the sixth was transferred to Letaba Hospital for further treatment.”
Phago added that the surgeon had been discharged from hospital.
READ | Gauteng warns illegal initiation schools as 2025 winter season kicks off
MEC Basikopo Makamu said government had made extensive preparations for the initiation season.
“It leaves us without enough words to comfort the families of the affected kids, as well as the surgeon. We really wish them a speedy recovery,” he said.
He said the other 18 initiates at the school had been relocated to an alternative school to allow them to complete the season.
Makamu said his department would continue collaborating with the provincial health department, education department, and the police to ensure that the 2025 initiation season is a success and complies with the country’s laws.
