A 26-year-old registered general nurse, Devine Dlodlo, from Entumbane, Bulawayo, has been arrested for the unlawful termination of a pregnancy for a Form Four pupil.
Unsafe abortions remain a major public health issue in Zimbabwe, with many women resorting to dangerous methods due to the lack of legal and safe options.
The Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977 allows abortion only in cases where the life of the mother is at risk, there is a risk of serious fetal impairment, or in cases of rape or incest. Outside of these exceptions, abortion is not permitted.
Bulawayo Police Spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, said that on the 6 July around 10:30 am, residents attending a funeral at Entumbane heard screams coming from the teen’s residence and went to check on what was happening.
“Upon arrival, they saw the two accused persons in the house and the girl had blood stains on her thighs and lower limbs. There was blood all over the house floor. They also discovered that she had given birth to a foetus, which was placed on the toilet floor,” he said.
Inspector Ncube said a police report was made the following day at around 10:30 am.
“Upon interview, she confirmed that she was six months pregnant. She stated that she approached Dlodlo as a nurse to assist her with any drug to terminate her pregnancy. She was then given some unknown tablets to induce and terminate the pregnancy.”
“She then led the police to a bushy area near the shops at Entumbane, where she had dumped the foetus. It was recovered and taken to UBH mortuary awaiting a post-mortem. This led to the arrest of both accused persons,” he said.
The police spokesperson warned members of the public against this illegal behaviour of terminating pregnancies as it is dangerous and they risk losing their lives.
“Such behaviour from a professional nurse is uncalled for; hence the law will take its course,” he said.
The crime of unlawful termination carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
