Vosman police have arrested a 51-year-old man for contravention of the Customary Initiation Act and extortion following the disappearance of a 16-year-old boy who was allegedly taken to an initiation school without parental consent.
The arrest was made on 23 May 2026 after the boy’s mother reported that her son had been recruited and admitted to an initiation school on 22 May. According to reports, the mother was later contacted by the initiation school principal and informed of her son’s admission. When she requested his release, she was allegedly instructed to provide groceries and pay money for initiation-related costs.
The matter was immediately reported to Vosman Police Station, prompting the activation of the “Ingoma Task Team,” which launched an investigation into the allegations.
During the operation, police traced the initiation school and discovered the 16-year-old already undergoing initiation. Officers also rescued 17 additional children aged between 14 and 17 who were allegedly being kept at the facility without parental consent. All 18 minors were safely reunited with their families.
The suspect, identified as the initiation school’s right-hand man, was arrested and is expected to appear before the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court today.
Police have confirmed that further charges may be added as investigations continue.
Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, warned initiation school operators against unlawfully recruiting or detaining minors.
“Anyone who operates outside the law and violates the rights of children will face the full might of the law,” Mkhwanazi said.
Investigations into the matter are ongoing.
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