Limpopo SAPS Arrests 4 Suspects, SA Outraged as Men Abducted and Forcibly Circumcised 72-Year-Old
- The South African Police Service arrested four people in connection with the abduction of an elderly man
- The suspects were arrested for abducting the man and taking him to an initiation school east of Polokwane
- South Africans weighed in on the arrests and shared their thoughts on the country's initiation schools
Source: Getty Images
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.
LIMPOPO – Police have arrested four people in connection with an initiation-related abduction in Limpopo, a story that left many outraged.
The suspects were arrested in connection with the abduction of a 72-year-old at the beginning of July 2025.
Matlankane Mathobela was abducted and taken to an initiation school east of Polokwane, where he was forcefully circumcised.
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What happened to Mathobela?
Speaking to SABC News in an interview aired on 14 July 2025, Mathobela explained that he was taken to an initiation school at Ga-Mamatsha village, where he was brutally assaulted with sticks and whips.
“They carried me by force while I was hiding in the shack. They assaulted me and even broke my arm,” he said.
“As soon as we got to the mountain, they immediately circumcised me,” he added.
Mathobela added that the men told him they were sent to fetch him because he had not undergone initiation. He was rescued by Traditional Affairs authorities a day later.
Source: Getty Images
Mathobela calls for others to be arrested
The 72-year-old also called for the arrest of whoever sent the men, saying that he did nothing to them.
“They must pay for the harm they caused me,” he said.
His wife also called for justice, saying that he was an elderly man who deserved respect. She added that he was frail and on chronic medication, and could have died during the forced initiation. Initiation schools in Limpopo have experienced tragedies in the past, where initiates have died. In 2024, three youngsters died during the initiation season.
In 2025, two people have already died. In early July, a 12-year-old died after he was burned in a fire at a school in the province.
Doctor weighs in on health risks
Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, Dr Adri Landman detailed some concerns when it came to elderly patients undergoing such trauma. She noted that their physiology differed from that of younger adults, and many often had multiple comorbidities, with associated medication use, that made treatment more challenging.
"These factors also place this patient population at higher risk of complications, adverse outcomes and even death. Wound healing often takes longer in the elderly, particularly where they suffer from diabetes or circulatory conditions," she noted.
How did South Africans react?
Social media users were left fuming by the news, with some calling for initiation schools to be closed, while others questioned the conduct of the suspects.
@Pampie59 said:
“That initiation school must be closed.”
@matladi123 added:
“They need to get those people who sent them and charge them. This is nonsense, Dr Phophi Ramathuba. We need such activities to come to an end. People need to be respected.”
Ngwana Wa Tshwenya noted:
“They even broke his arm😭.”
Molelekoa Veronica Tlapza asked:
“Why are they doing that? So, hle, if the elderly man died at that initiation school in the cold?”
Leshilo Kedibone stated:
“They must make examples out of them and lock them up for a long time. They can’t force people to go to initiation schools unless they want to make this old man a sacrifice there.”
Patricia Pecci Lovergal said:
“They should add attempted murder on the charge sheet. This is no joke.”
Rosina Rose asked:
“And why beat him?”
Essie Mukuze questioned:
“So people are this evil now? They have no respect for the elderly?”
Family wants justice after initiate's death
Briefly News reported that a Free State family was calling for justice after their son lost his life in an illegal initiation school.
The youngster was first reported missing after he allegedly ran away to join a school in the province, where his body was discovered.
South Africans weighed in on the family's calls for lengthy sentences to be given to the suspects.
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Source: Briefly News
