Back to opportunities
DocumentClosedmedia statement

MEC Makamu welcomes the closure of illegal schools 23/07/2026

Limpopo - Public WorksRef: https://www.limpopo.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MEC-Makamu-welcomes-the-closure-of-illegal-schools.pdf

Official source

Source domain: limpopo.gov.za

Collected on 28 July 2026

Always confirm details on the official source before acting.

What this means

This is a media statement dated 23 July 2026 in which MEC Basikopo Makamu (Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs) welcomes the closure of seven illegal initiation schools in the Sekhukhune District, Limpopo. The statement says four female and three male initiation schools continued operating beyond the official closing date of 19 July 2026, and that officials from CoGHSTA, with the South African Police Service, acted on a tip-off on 22 July 2026 near Nebo in the Hlogotlou Policing Area. It notes that some initiates were reunited with parents and others will be reunited during 23 July 2026, and that monitoring will continue while communities are urged to report non-compliant schools to authorities including SAPS and traditional leadership.

What this document offers

Read out of this document by Govermate's AI, in its own words. Each one quotes the line it came from — confirm on the official source before acting.

community reportingOngoing

Report non-compliant initiation schools to authorities (SAPS and traditional leadership)

The department calls on communities to stay vigilant and report initiation schools that are not operating within the regulations to the authorities, including the SAPS and traditional leadership.

Who it is for
communities in Limpopo who may be aware of initiation schools not operating within regulations
How to act on it
Report the non-compliant initiation schools to authorities, including the SAPS as well as Traditional leadership.
Show the line this came from
The department continues to call on communities to remain vigilant against initiation schools which are not operating within the regulations and also to report them to authorities, including the SAPS as well as Traditional leadership.

Facts

Places

Limpopo

Reference

https://www.limpopo.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/MEC-Makamu-welcomes-the-closure-of-illegal-schools.pdf

Key Takeaways

  • Date of statement: 23 July 2026
  • MEC: Basikopo Makamu (Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs)
  • Subject: closure of seven illegal initiation schools in Sekhukhune District
  • Schools: 4 female schools (127 initiates) and 3 male schools (115 initiates)
  • Official closing deadline: 19 July 2026 (for Limpopo customary initiation schools)
  • Action taken: 22 July 2026 around Nebo, Hlogotlou Policing Area
  • Collaboration: CoGHSTA officials with South African Police Service (SAPS)
  • Next steps: monitoring teams continue investigating non-compliant schools
  • Community call: report illegal/non-compliant initiation schools to authorities including SAPS and traditional leadership
  • Basikopo Makamu
  • MEC’s Spokesperson Amos Phago
  • Tsakani Baloyi
  • Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA)
  • South African Police Service (SAPS)
  • Sekhukhune District
  • Limpopo Province
  • Department of Education
  • Hlogotlou Policing Area
  • Nebo
  • Traditional surgeons
  • Traditional leadership

Dates

Closing Date

19 July 2026