A 45-year-old woman from Chiredzi District, Masvingo Province, is currently at large after allegedly administering a mysterious concoction to a 15-year-old sexual abuse victim in a botched attempt to terminate her pregnancy, resulting in the minor’s tragic death.
According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the teenager fell ill after ingesting the concoction provided by Chipo Mulauzi and was subsequently hospitalised, where she sadly succumbed to her condition. Police said:
<blockquote>
Police in Chiredzi are appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Chipo Mulauzi (45) who is being sought in connection with a case of murder in which a female juvenile (15) died on 09/03/25 whilst admitted at a local hospital in Chiredzi. 
The suspect allegedly gave the victim an unknown concoction to terminate pregnancy after being sexually abused. The victim became sick after taking the concoction and was admitted at the hospital.
</blockquote>
In Zimbabwe, abortion is heavily restricted under the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977, which only allows it in exceptional circumstances, such as when the pregnancy poses a direct threat to the woman’s life, in cases of rape or incest, or when the fetus has severe congenital abnormalities.
According to estimates, a staggering 70,000 illegal abortions take place every year, with many of these procedures being performed in dangerous and unsanitary conditions, thereby contributing to alarmingly high rates of maternal mortality and severe health complications.

Pindula News

A 45-year-old woman gave a 15-year-old girl a bad drink to try and stop her pregnancy because she was sexually abused. But the girl got sick and later died in the hospital. The woman ran away and the police are looking for her. Abortion is not allowed in Zimbabwe, except in certain cases. Lots of illegal abortions happen each year in unsafe places, causing many deaths and health problems. The police are asking for help to find the woman who gave the girl the bad drink.

Woman On The Run After 15-Year-Old's Death In Botched Abortion

The Harare High Court has ruled that a law denying access to legal abortion for children under 18 and married women raped by their husbands is unconstitutional. However, the ruling is subject to confirmation by the Constitutional Court before it becomes effective.
Under the Termination of Pregnancy Act, abortion was allowed only in three circumstances: if the pregnancy endangered the woman’s life, if there were a serious risk the child would suffer permanent physical or mental defects, or if the pregnancy resulted from rape (excluding marital rape).
The court’s decision extends abortion access to women who are victims of marital rape, aligning with the legal recognition of marital rape as a crime.
This ruling stems from a case filed by Women in Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), which sought to expand abortion rights and post-abortion care for minors and women who are survivors of sexual violence, including those subjected to marital rape.
WLSA challenged Section 2(1) of the Termination of Pregnancy Act, which restricted access to legal abortion for minors and married women raped by their spouses.
The action was filed against Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora, Parliament, and Attorney-General Virginia Mabiza, all of whom did not oppose the application.
Human rights lawyer Tendai Bit represented WLSA and Talent Forget in the case.
Justice Maxwell Takuva, in a November 22 judgement, declared section 2(1) of the Termination of Pregnancy Act [Chapter 15:10] “unconstitutional and invalid.” He ruled:
<blockquote>
In my view, the dignity of adolescent children who are impregnated, the dignity of married women who are raped is adversely affected by the provisions of s 2(1) of the Act.
The Zimbabwe constitution protects the right of every person to the entitlement of inherent dignity in their private and public life and the right to have that dignity respected and protected. The right to dignity is foundational and has been equated with the right to life.
Section 2 of the Act falls away immediately as a consequence of Constitutional Court judgments. Firstly, once the Constitutional Court had outlawed child marriages as it did in the Mudzuri case and once the court outlawed and raised the age of sexual consent to 18 years as it did in the Diana Eunise Kamwenda case, it means that sexual intercourse with a minor is unlawful.
Consequently, this type of unlawful intercourse should be included in the definition of ‘unlawful intercourse’ in section 2(1).
In the same vein, once the legislature has outlawed marital rape as it did with the amendments to the law, it follows then that section (2)(1) should be set aside.
</blockquote>
The ruling, if confirmed by the Constitutional Court, will allow abused children below 18 years of age to have access to safe and legal abortion.
Justice Takuva said section 81 of the Zimbabwe constitution provides that every child has a right to be protected from sexual exploitation. He added:
<blockquote>
In view of this, any sex with a minor is therefore unconstitutional and therefore any pregnancy arising from such sex has to be treated as unlawful intercourse for the purpose of section 2(1) of the Act.
Once it is accepted that the age of sexual consent consistent with section 81 of the constitution is 18, it becomes clear that any sexual act with a minor and indeed any pregnancy arising thereto, is unlawful and illegal.
Subjecting children to child pregnancies without a right to safe abortion is abuse and torture in violation of section 53 of the constitution of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
The judge said that in Zimbabwe, teenage pregnancies are primarily driven by poverty, with girls from impoverished backgrounds being particularly vulnerable to early child marriages and pregnancies. 
This creates a vicious cycle where young mothers, often from poor families, are compelled to raise children in a context of poverty, perpetuating the cycle. 
Justice Takuva said subjecting a child to bear another child or undergo illegal abortion constitutes torture and cruel treatment. He added:
<blockquote>
The definition of unlawful intercourse (in the Termination of Pregnancy Act) excludes unlawful and unconstitutional intercourse giving rise to pregnancy of a child below the age of 18.
To the extent that the age of sexual consent is 18, it therefore means that any intercourse with a child is unlawful and must be included as unlawful intercourse for the purposes of s 2(1) of the Act. Also, unlawful intercourse must include marital rape or rape within a marriage.
The failure to include in the definition of unlawful intercourse pregnancy of a minor, amounts to a breach of sections 81(1)(e)(f) and 18(2) of the constitution which protect the rights of children.
Allowing children to have pregnancies without an option of safe legal abortion also amounts to torture, cruel and degrading treatment in breach section 53 of the constitution of Zimbabwe.
Teenage pregnancies and failure to allow the legal safe abortions is a breach of the right to human dignity protected under section 51 of the constitution of Zimbabwe.
Quite clearly section 2(1) of the Act is also in breach of section 56(1) of the constitution in that it unlawfully discriminates between different categories of unlawful intercourse by omitting illegal and unlawful intercourse with a minor and rape within a marriage.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The High Court in Zimbabwe says girls under 18 and women raped by their husbands can have legal abortions. This ruling is not final yet. Before, abortion was only allowed in certain cases. Now, victims of marital rape can also get abortions. A group called Women in Law in Southern Africa fought for this change. The judge says children need to be protected from abuse. He also says not giving them the option for a safe abortion is cruel. The ruling could help girls and women in bad situations get the help they need.

Zimbabwe High Court Affirms Abortion Rights For Underage Girls And Women Raped By Husbands

A 26-year-old registered general nurse, Devine Dlodlo, from Entumbane, Bulawayo, has been arrested for assisting a Form Four student in terminating her pregnancy.
Abortion is illegal in Zimbabwe, except in cases where the life of the mother is at risk, there is a risk of serious fetal impairment, or in instances of rape or incest, as per the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977.
The spokesperson of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Bulawayo Province, Inspector Abednico Ncube, confirmed the incident to CITE reporter <a href="https://cite.org.zw/author/senzeni/">Senzeni Ncube</a>, which occurred on 06 July 024 at around 10:30 AM.
He said residents attending a funeral at Entumbane heard screams coming from the teen’s residence and went to check on what was happening. Said Insp. Ncube:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>
Insp. Ncube said a police report was made the following day at around 10:30 AM. He said:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>
Insp. Ncube warned members of the public against terminating pregnancies as it is dangerous and they risk losing their lives.
The crime of unlawful termination carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A 26-year-old nurse helped a student in Zimbabwe have an illegal abortion. Abortion is only legal in certain cases. The police found out about the incident when people heard screams at the girl's house and saw blood. The girl admitted she was six months pregnant and asked the nurse for help. The fetus was found in a bushy area. The nurse and the girl were arrested. The police warn that terminating pregnancies is dangerous and can lead to prison time.

Bulawayo Nurse Assists Form Four Pupil Abort Six-Month Pregnancy

Traditional leaders have expressed their disapproval of calls by legislators for the legalisation of abortion through the abolition of the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977.
Speaking in the National Assembly last week, chairperson of the health and childcare portfolio committee, Daniel Molokele, who is also Hwange Central MP (CCC) said the Act should be repealed, arguing that it was against the promotion of gender equality as enshrined in the constitution and placed women in dangerous situations.
Molokele also stated that there was empirical evidence demonstrating a high prevalence of pregnancy termination, particularly among high school and university students.
Reacting to Molokele’s call for abortion to be legalised, Chief Ngungumbane of Mberengwa District in Midlands province, likened abortion to the murder of an innocent soul.
Speaking to the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/abortion-calls-spark-public-debate/">Chronicle</a>, the traditional leader said the calls for the legalisation of abortion go against Zimbabwe’s cultural norms and values, adding that Zimbabweans rejected its legalisation during the 2013 constitutional review exercise. He added:
<blockquote>
That is taboo. It is just the same as murder of an innocent soul hence its rejection in 2013, the same way gay rights were rejected.
These calls do not resonate well with our cultural norms and values, and even the marriage fabric will be badly affected.
</blockquote>
Chief Ngungumbane warned Zimbabweans against ” importing” foreign cultures in the name of human rights.
Chief Siabuwa of Binga said a child was a blessing from God and terminating pregnancy was going against the creator himself. He said:
<blockquote>
Do you want to die yourself as an individual, no one wants to die. Are children not a blessing from God and we all know they are? So, why are you denying them a right to life?
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Council of Chiefs president, Senator Chief Mtshane Khumalo of Bubi District also described legalising abortion as a foreign practice. He said:
<blockquote>
As traditional leaders, there is nowhere we can recommend abortion, it is something foreign to our values and knowing the present Parliament, I don’t see that motion getting any support at all, there is no way that we can support this.
</blockquote>
Archbishop Alex Thomas of the Roman Catholic Church’s Archdiocese of Bulawayo said:
<blockquote>
The Bible clearly states that thou shall not kill. Abortion must only be in exceptional cases as enshrined in the law otherwise making it open will only make things worse for our society.
</blockquote>
However, Reverend Nhlanganiso Moyo of the Presbyterian Church said that he was not opposed to abortion, saying the issue was never mentioned in the Bible. He said:
<blockquote>
It should be legalised but with clear text that only on strong reasons must a person abort, otherwise we may lose our moral values and social fibre.
We welcome the proposal to review the Termination of Pregnancy to expand the circumstances under which safe abortion is allowed.
</blockquote>
Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe health cluster lead executive director, Edinah Masiyiwa, told the Chronicle that her organisation was firmly behind calls to repeal the Act. She said:
<blockquote>
Women are dying from unsafe abortions, and treating unsafe abortion is costly to the nation compared to offering women safe abortion services.
</blockquote>
The Termination of Pregnancy Act only permits abortion in three specific scenarios:
<ul>
<li>The continuation of the pregnancy endangers the woman’s life or poses a serious threat of permanent impairment to her physical health.</li>
<li>The child may be born with serious physical or mental defects.</li>
<li>The fetus was conceived as a result of rape or incest.</li>
</ul>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Traditional Leaders Reject Calls For The Legalisation Of Abortion

Hwange Central legislator, Daniel Molokele (CCC), has called for the repealing of the country’s Termination of Pregnancy Act, saying the law violates the Constitution’s promotion of gender equality and places women in dangerous situations.
Speaking in the National Assembly last week, cited empirical evidence demonstrating a high prevalence of abortions, particularly among high school and university students. Molokele said (via <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/lawmaker-pushes-for-easier-access-to-safe-abortion/">Chronicle</a>):
<blockquote>
We have a law called the Termination of Pregnancy Act of 1977. It is one of the oldest laws in this country that is long overdue. It does not need to be amended, it needs to be repealed. It is possibly violating the Constitution of this country in terms of the clauses that speak to the promotion of gender equality…
At a community level, women are not being given a choice. Once you fall pregnant, you have to bear the consequences and this excludes a lot of women from having a second chance in life.
It is time to repeal the Termination of Pregnancy Act and replace it with a brand new Act that recognises the rights of women in this country and negates the patriarchal interest that the old Act has.
</blockquote>
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi, acknowledged the need for reforming the Termination of Pregnancy Act but instead proposed broadening the circumstances to allow for legal termination. He said:
<blockquote>
So you need to have a look at it and say, let us have situations where you say when the pregnancy is at this particular trimester, those in the medical field indicate that it is not safe even for the mother to terminate that particular pregnancy.
But I think we need conversations to update our laws and ensure that they speak to who we are and what is obtaining on the ground, not necessarily to remove it outright.
</blockquote>
The Termination of Pregnancy Act only permits abortion in three specific scenarios:
<ul>
<li>The continuation of the pregnancy endangers the woman’s life or poses a serious threat of permanent impairment to her physical health.</li>
<li>The child may be born with serious physical or mental defects.</li>
<li>The fetus was conceived as a result of rape or incest.</li>
</ul>
The law also prohibits unauthorised assistance with pregnancy termination and charges must be the standard fees charged by the institution.
However, reports suggest that abortion numbers have increased, with women turning to unsafe alternatives, such as illegal abortion pills and herbs.
In 2021, Dr Ruth Labode, the then-chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care, reported a rise in illegal abortions, with numbers jumping from 60,000 to 80,000 annually.
Those who are against abortion argue that life begins at conception, making abortion similar to murder.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

CCC MP Pushes For Legalisation Of Abortion

A 24-year-old woman from Bulawayo has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for unlawful termination of pregnancy.
The woman, Junior Ncube appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Amanda Ndlovu where she was found guilty.
The magistrate suspended one year from the sentence on the condition that Ndlovu refrain from committing the same offence within the next five years. This means that she will serve an effective four years in jail.
Allegations were that sometime in November 2023, some residents from Pumula South suburb stumbled upon a dog eating a human foetus.
They immediately reported the matter to the police.
During investigations, it was reported that residents informed the police that Ncube was pregnant.
Acting from that tip-off police questioned Ndlovu but she denied having any involvement with the foetus.
Ndlovu was sent for a scan which revealed that her stomach had recently enlarged and contracted within a week, indicating the presence of a life within it.
Under the Termination of Pregnancy Act, pregnancies can only be terminated by a registered medical practitioner authorised by a court order.
If the pregnancy endangers the life of the woman and could result in permanent impairment to her physical health, when the pregnancy is a result of unlawful intercourse, or when the foetus is severely malformed, it can be terminated.
The Act also specifies that the termination of pregnancy must be carried out by a medical practitioner in a designated institution.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Woman (24) Sentenced To Five Years In Jail For Abortion

Two women and a man from Shurugwi who allegedly connived to terminate a pregnancy were arrested and dragged before a magistrate recently.
Juliet Makarutse (62) and Fortunate Mashiwa (21) allegedly approached Mathew Moyana (25) for herbs to terminate Mashiwa’s pregnancy.
The three appeared before Shurugwi Magistrate Percy Mukumba two weeks ago facing charges of concealment of birth as defined in Section 106 of the Criminal code.
Prosecuting, Tafadzwa Guzete said Makarutse and Mashiwa approached Moyana at Chingami Compound Peakmine Farm Shurugwi and were given a traditional herb that Mashiwa used to terminate her pregnancy.
It is alleged that sometime in October, Mashiwa gave birth to a stillborn and Moyana wrapped the foetus in a baby blanket and put it in a sack, and buried it in a disused pit.
The police received a tip-off and arrested the trio. The suspects pleaded guilty to the offence and the baby was retrieved and taken for a postmortem. They were remanded in custody. | <a href="https://masvingomirror.com/shurugwi-trio-in-custody-for-terminating-pregnancy/">The Mirror</a>

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