Woman aborts after discovering she has been impregnated by uncle

Published: 2013 November 25 16:10:46 (7057 Views)

A GWANDA woman terminated her pregnancy when she discovered that the man who had impregnated her was her maternal uncle, the court heard yesterday.

Chelesile Moyo (21) of 5875 Hlalani Kuhle Township in Gwanda Town told the magistrate, Ms Sheila Nazombe that she decided to terminate her almost five month pregnancy when her boyfriend, Mr Douglas Nyathi denied responsibility.

"I discovered that the man who had impregnated me was actually my uncle. As a result I became so confused and decided to terminate the pregnancy by drinking a concoction made from umhlafutho tree leaves. I didn't understand what I was doing because no one would listen to my problem," said Moyo with a quivering voice.

She said she had told her grandmother about the problem but she told her to go and stay with Mr Nyathi. Moyo told the court that she had been sharing the same bed with Mr Nyathi and his other girlfriend.

"I sometimes spent nights at my boyfriend's house and I would sleep on the same bed with him and his girlfriend. During the day, he would send me away and advise me to spend the day at my maternal aunt's place," said Moyo.

The visibly troubled Moyo, struggled to hold back her tears as she appealed for a lenient sentence that would accord her the opportunity to continue looking after her child as she separated with its father.

"Your worship, I would like to apologise for what I did. I have a two- year-old daughter and if I go to jail she will be taken to her father's home and would be under the care of a stepmother. She would not be in good hands," she said.

However, Ms Nazombe found Miss Moyo guilty of unlawfully terminating the pregnancy and sentenced her to 12months imprisonment of which four months were suspended for five years on condition she does not commit a similar offence within the same period. The remaining eight months were suspended on condition she performs 280 hours of community service at the Gwanda Magistrates' court starting on Monday. She was ordered to complete the community service within eight weeks.

"This man was not supposed to cause you any confusion at all. You were simply supposed to leave him.

"Next time you decide to fall pregnant, make sure you the right person is responsible. Don't be quick to fall pregnant," said Ms Nazombe when passing the sentence.

The prosecutor Mr Jefta Nyikadzinashe said on 3 November at about 3pm, Moyo hatched a plan to terminate the pregnancy after experiencing problems with Mr Nyathi. She went to a nearby bush and took some umhlafutho leaves which she boiled and then drank a cup of the concoction which led to the discharge of the foetus at about 8pm.

The court heard that Moyo placed the foetus in a 10litre bucket and emptied it at a pit about 200metres from her house.

The matter came to light when Mr Nyathi realised that Moyo was no longer pregnant and he reported the matter to the police.

- Zim Metro