In 2021, 18-year-old Kelebogile Legasa went missing from his home in Lakeside Proper. After days of searching without success, his family learned he had been taken to an initiation school, where he later died.
Now, three years later, the Legasa family still seeks justice. Kelebogile was a first-year law student at UJ, dreaming of becoming a lawyer. His father, Tshepo Legasa, recounted their ordeal to Orange Farm News: “Kelebogile was the 3rd child of 4 and the only boy amongst girls. He wanted to be a lawyer hence he was studying law. He never wanted to go to initiation school; it’s not even our culture. They kidnapped him. While searching for him, some children told us they saw him with two boys, one carrying a panga, they are known to us. “
“The owner of the initiation school lives not far from us. He never came to ask for permission to take our son to the school, but after we discovered he was there, he came with some papers asking us to sign them and always demanding food and other necessities. We let him stay there because the police wouldn’t help; they told us Kelebogile is 18, an adult and can make decisions. There was nothing else we could do; we just prayed and hoped he would return home fine. Little did we know he would come back in a body bag.”
“On the day we received the news of his passing, the school owner came with the police to our house. The police said he told them Kelebogile was his brother and had died at the clinic. We rushed to the clinic where we found his stone-cold body with bruises; he was badly beaten and his stomach swollen. Looking at him, he died days before being brought to the clinic. He died at the school, not the clinic, as the initiation school owner claimed. “
“When me and his mother saw him deceased, we couldn’t believe it; it was like we were dreaming. We were shattered; till today we have not healed and seeing those responsible for his death walking free every day makes it hard for us; it destroys us. We want justice, we want them held accountable. We have tried everything to get justice, but nothing has happened.”
“We attended a CRL Initiation National Indaba held in Boksburg, where we were promised that the perpetrators would be arrested, but till today nothing has happened. We also went to TV, still nothing. What hurts is that the initiation school’s teacher keeps threatening me, saying he will kill me and my family if I keep pursuing this case. He never came to us to apologise or explain what happened to our son.”
In 2021, initiation schools were banned due to COVID-19; the police were supposed to act on that, but they did not. He must be stopped before more children die in his school. We deserve justice; Kelebogile deserves justice.”
In May, the family hosted a 21st birthday party to celebrate Kelebogile’s life and keep his memory alive as they continue their fight for justice.
This story is developing and Orange Farm News awaits a response from SAPS.
