Pumula South Teen Arrested for Illegal Abortion

By Nomathemba Mathe

Celine Ngwenya, an 18-year-old girl from Pumula South, has been arrested for allegedly terminating her pregnancy using abortion pills.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the arrest in a statement released yesterday on their official X page, stating that Ngwenya reportedly buried the fetus in a shallow grave, which has since been retrieved and taken to Mpilo Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem examination.

According to the ZRP, Ngwenya is accused of terminating the pregnancy on November 2, 2024, at a house in Pumula South.

“Police in Bulawayo have arrested Celine Ngwenya (18) in connection with termination of pregnancy. The suspect allegedly terminated the pregnancy using abortion pills on 02/11/24 at a house in Pumula South,” the police statement read.

She allegedly kept the fetus at her home before burying it along a stream between Makoni and nearby shops in Nkulumane.

“She kept the fetus at home and buried it in a shallow grave along a stream between Makoni and some shops in Nkulumane. The fetus has since been retrieved from the grave and was taken to Mpilo Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem,” the ZRP added.

In Zimbabwe, abortion is illegal except under specific circumstances defined by the 1977 Termination of Pregnancy Act, including cases where the mother’s life is in danger or in instances of rape, incest, or fetal impairment. Illegal abortions carry a penalty of up to five years in prison and/or a fine.

Ngwenya remains in police custody and is expected to appear in court soon.