Tendai Gukutikwa
Tendai Gukutikwa
BEHIND closed doors in most urban settlements of Manicaland, a network of illegal abortion clinics and ‘pharmacies’ is thriving, fuelled by desperation, greedy, and a lack of oversight, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake, The Manica Post can reveal.
The unsafe procedures account for many complications, including sepsis, haemorrhage and infertility, which overburdens the country’s healthcare system.
An undercover investigation conducted by The Manica Post revealed the mush-rooming of illegal abortion clinics and pharmacies.
The pills are being sold for us$50, while the abortion procedure is pegged at us$300, with those behind the illegal activities, claiming that they have thriving backyard abortion clinics in Mutare, Rusape and Chipinge.
Operated by wannabe health professionals who are not qualified, the clinics contribute to some of the maternal deaths in the country.
Illegal dealers especially in Harare using South African numbers on WhatsApp, sell abortion drugs to anyone who contact them, and send them across the country via public transport.
Posing as a buyer, this reporter contacted a dealer in Harare who offered a package of pills for US$50, promising same-day delivery to Mutare via public transport.
“You will get them on the same day. Just follow the instructions, and it will be done,” the dealer assured.
Since the dealers use South African cellphone numbers, they refused to have the money sent via Ecocash or Innbucks, fearing being exposed.
“I can send the pills with a bus conductor, and he will only release them after giving him US$50,” replied one of the sellers after being quizzed on how to send the money.
The underground market for abortion services extends beyond pills to include illegal abortion clinics, exploiting desperate women.
One facility, trading under the name Zim Women Clinic on social media, advertises abortions for pregnancies up to 28 weeks, six weeks beyond the World Health Organisation’s recommended cut-off, and four weeks beyond the Zimbabwean law’s recommended cut-off of 24 weeks.
When contacted anonymously, a representative from Zim Women’s Clinic, who identified herself as Claris quoted a fee of US$50 for the pills only, and us$300 for a procedure to be conducted at their institution, promising a ‘quick, painless procedure.
Claris stated that they are mobile, and can be found in every city and town including Mutare, Rusape and Chipinge.
“We can only give you our location after you have paid half of what we are asking for the whole procedure,” said Claris.
Oblivious of the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Act, most desperate women especially victims of rape and abuse, are forced to undergo illegal abortions.
Enacted in 1977, the Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) Act, permits abortion only in cases of rape or incest, if the unborn child is at risk of physical or mental defects that could pose a serious risk to both the mother and child, or when the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life.
However, according to a survey con-ducted by SAFE (Stopping Abuse and Female Exploitation) Zimbabwe, in 2018, only 25 percent of Zimbabweans knew that abortion was legal in the country.
Data from the Guttmacher Institute and the World Health Organisation shows that an estimated 66 847 unsafe abortions were performed in Zimbabwe in 2020.
A 19-year-old Chipinge rape victim (name withheld to protect her identity) expressed ignorance about the existence of the Termination of Pregnancy Act.
The teenager was raped, impregnated by her church pastor, and was forced to have an illegal abortion.
The pastor later fled to the United Kingdom leaving her with permanent emotional scars.
“Weeks later after being abused by my pastor, he gave a packet of small pills. He ordered me to take them as he watched. Unaware of their intended purpose, I followed his instructions.
“Hours later, I was writhing in agony and bleeding profusely. After days of suffering, I sought help from a local clinic where I was told that I had an illegal abortion.
“I feel betrayed and broken. That man ruined my life, had I known that I was eligible for a safe abortion through the TOP Act, I would have reported the rape to the police in time. I was forced to do an illegal abortion by the pastor. The pastor fled to the UK after committing the crime,” she said.
Her lived reality and lack of awareness about her rights under the law left her vulnerable to exploitation.
“If people knew about the law, we would not be forced into this situation. We need to protect women, not punish them,” she said.
In an interview, Women’s Action Group (WAG) executive director, Mrs Edinah Masiyiwa con-firmed that many women in Zimbabwe do not know about the TOP Act.
“WAG has observed a troubling pattern in Zimbabwe, women and girls eligible for safe abortion under the Act often remain unaware of their rights. There are communities where even those eligible for a safe abortion do not know about the law. We are working to change that through advocacy and education,” she said.
Mrs Masiyiwa said there is another barrier of the bureaucratic hurdles faced by women seeking legal abortions under the current law, and therefore the need for the ratification of the law.
“Obtaining a certificate to terminate pregnancy requires going through the magistrates’ court. These processes are barriers to what should be a right,” she explained.
WAG is working to address these challenges through community education and advocacy.
“We are advocating for amendments to the TOP Act to broaden the circumstances under which safe exploitation exposed abortion is permitted. Mental health and social wellbeing should also be considered,” she said.
Mrs Masiyiwa further stated that the stigma surrounding abortion further compounds the problem.
“Women fear judgment and ostracism, prevent-ing them from seeking help even in emergencies. This silence has deadly consequences. Stigma is killing our women. We need to foster an environment where women feel safe to speak out and access care. Women should speak out against rape and against incest so that they can get help and not have to endure all that alone,” she said.
Medical experts gave a stern warning of the grave risks posed by such unregulated pills.
A Mutare-based gynaecologist, Dr Miriam Kanyenze explained the potential dangers posed by unsafe abortions.
“Using abortion pills without medical supervision is a gamble with one’s life. Incomplete abortions, severe infections, and haemorrhaging are common outcomes. Many women do not survive these complications. It is important that awareness is raised for every woman and girl to know the law as well as the importance of following it,” she said.
Dr Kanyenze expressed alarm at the dangers posed by illegal facilities like the clinic offering abortion services beyond 24 weeks of pregnancy.
“Abortions beyond 24 weeks are risky even in regulated environments. These clinics operate outside the law and without accountability, endangering women’s lives in the process,” she said.
Dr Kanyenze said the consequences of these unregulated practices are devastating, “Hospitals across Zimbabwe are filled with women suffering from complications due to unsafe abortions, including septicaemia, infertility, and even death. Healthcare workers, already overburdened, are left to address these preventable tragedies,” she said.
Dr Kanyenze also emphasised the importance of post-abortion care, which is part of the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s efforts to save lives.
“We encourage all women who have had unsafe abortions to seek this care at clinics. It is crucial for their health and well-being,” she said.
Online Reporter