By Tafadzwa Chigandiwa
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Chinhoyi have begun investigations into a case where a 27-year-old, Mercy Villa from Village 4 Portland Farm unlawfully terminated her pregnancy last Friday.
“Police in Chinhoyi are investigating a case of unlawful termination of pregnancy which occurred on 22/10/21 at Village 4 Portlet Farm, Chinhoyi,” ZRP said.
It is alleged that Villa terminated her pregnancy after she drank an unidentified brown substance, she got from a 48-year-old herbalist, Esnath Karimatsinga.
She reportedly wrapped the foetus in a plastic bag before she placed it under the counter in a grocery shop where she stays.
Villa may face imprisonment of up to five years.
According to Zimbabwe’s Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977, abortion is only legally permitted under certain circumstances including rape or incest.
Meanwhile, feminist movement Katswe Sistahood, launched a campaign three months (August) ago pushing for the legalisation of abortion in Zimbabwe.
Katswe implored government to reform the pregnancy act indicating that the law was unfriendly even to those who are lawfully eligable to terminate pregnancies.
The movement went on to reveal that the country records about 70, 000 backyard abortions annually.
