Ingoma temporarily suspended by MEC

COGTA minister, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, designated under section 3 and 27(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002), has gazetted a notice which moved the country to adjusted level 4 as announced by the president. In a statement, the minister said the third wave and the Delta variant have led to a massive surge in new infections which necessitated that they must once again tighten restrictions on the movement of persons, gatherings, curfews and non pharmaceutical interventions.

Therefore, under alert Level 4, initiation (ingoma) practices and post-initiation celebrations are prohibited. MEC Busi Shiba has officially suspended all initiation schools in Mpumalanga. Traditional leaders are urged to follow the rules, and to adhere to these extraordinary steps to reduce the infection rate. The suspension of the practice will be until further notice. “This suspension is in accordance with the Disaster Management regulations outlined by the national Department of Cooperative Governance as one of the preventative measures against the spread of the virus, as well as President Ramaphosa’s call to suspend all gatherings during the Level 4 lockdown. Regulations direct the traditional leadership institution to suspend all cultural activities in order to reduce human contact,” the MEC stated.