Online Reporter
Danisa Masuku, [email protected]
A 19-year-old woman from Bulawayo’s Mzilikazi suburb has been sentenced to six months’ imprisonment after unlawfully terminating her pregnancy and disposing of twin foetuses in a rubbish bin.
Praise Nyasha Chihwanda appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Golden Muyambo on Thursday and pleaded guilty to unlawfully terminating a pregnancy.
Three months of the sentence were suspended on condition that she does not commit a similar offence within the next five years. The remaining three months were suspended on condition that she completes 205 hours of community service.
In passing sentence, Mr Muyambo took into account that Chihwanda was a youthful offender and had not wasted the court’s time by pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity.
Addressing the court, Chihwanda expressed remorse for her actions.
“I decided to terminate the pregnancy because I had no financial means for the upkeep of the children. I am very sorry for what I did,” she told the court.
In aggravation, prosecutor Ms Sibusisiwe Sithole argued that the offence had been premeditated and warranted a deterrent sentence.
“The way the offence was committed shows that she had planned it, as she concealed the foetuses in a bin under the cover of darkness. Cases of abortion have become prevalent in society and we pray for a sentence that sends a message to would be offenders,” she said.
Presenting the State’s case, Ms Sithole told the court that Chihwanda suspected she was pregnant in April this year and subsequently took a pregnancy test, which confirmed her suspicions.
According to the prosecution, she later obtained an unknown substance from a vendor with the intention of terminating the pregnancy.
“She later obtained an unknown substance from a vendor with the intention of terminating the pregnancy. On 19 May, shortly after 9am, Chihwanda consumed a mixture of cinnamon, cloves and herbs at her family home in Mzilikazi. Later that evening, at about 8pm, she began experiencing stomach pains before bleeding heavily, resulting in the expulsion of two foetuses,” said Ms Sithole.
The court heard that, following the miscarriage, Chihwanda allegedly attempted to conceal the offence by placing the foetuses in a plastic bag before disposing of them in a rubbish bin.
The matter came to light four days later, on 23 May, when a neighbour discovered the foetuses and reported the matter to the police.
An investigation was immediately launched, leading to Chihwanda’s arrest.
The foetuses were later taken to the Mpilo Central Hospital mortuary for preservation as investigations into the case continued.
