Yeoville SAPS is concerned about an increase in unsafe and illegal abortions in the area.
Since the start of 2019, Yeoville SAPS found four foetuses.
“Three cases have been opened and one person has been arrested.
“We don’t encourage abortion, but we urge the public to do it within the prescripts of the law. Information is available at local clinics and services are available. If it happens that the pregnant woman wishes to give up the child for whatever reason, she can visit our victim empowerment centre and social crime prevention office for help,” said Capt Sifiso Mabizela, Yeoville SAPS communications officer.
The foetuses were discovered in different areas in Yeoville.
One was found on the corner of Stuart and Jolly streets and the other at the intersection of Hendon Street and Fortesque Road.
“The first foetus was found wrapped in a plastic bag and dumped in a stream. The other one was found by a member of the community when unblocking a drain. The community member said he pulled something from the drain when suddenly the foetus fell to the ground,” said Mabizela.
A third discovery was made on February 3 at the corner of Kenmere Road and Frances Street.
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“The body of a baby was found wrapped in black stockings and the child had been left in a passage of a flat. A resident discovered the fully developed baby with its umbilical cord still attached. The cord looked as though it was cut with a sharp object. A woman has been arrested and is currently in custody,” said Mabizela.
“The fourth baby was found on Grafton Street on February 9. The child had been covered with a blanket,” he said.
The EXPRESS spoke to Const Pile Nwoko from the Yeoville Social Crime Prevention Unit about what the unit is doing to address the matter.
“The unit is planning education talks in the area. People need to be informed about services the social crime prevention unit provides. We are aware and concerned about the rise in illegal terminations in the area.
“There are a number of socials ills that happens in the area which creates the problem. As social crime prevention unit we can offer advice, counselling and support to those who come to us seeking assistance,” said Nwoko.
She said the unit works with different NGOs that can assist the women if they find themselves in a situation where they don’t want the baby.
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“There are places which receive children without any paperwork or questions asked. This includes Door of Hope on Dorris Street. You ring a bell and simply drop the child off. Another one is in Regent Street, called Frida Hartley Shelter for Destitute Women and Children.
“I would encourage women to go to the police station if they find themselves in that situation. We will assist them and offer the support they need,” said Nwoko.
Nwoko said while abortion is legal in South Africa there is still a high number of illegal and unsafe terminations taking place.
The EXPRESS spoke to Whitney Chinogwenya, marketing and brand manager of Marie Stopes South Africa.
The clinic was established in 1993 and is a non-profit provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
Chinogwenya said more education about pregnancy termination is still needed.
“There is not enough information on termination, whether legal and illegal. Abortion care is still a very stigmatised topic and one that society avoids, so this inhibits the flow of information on the options available and where to access services,” explained Chinogwenya.
She said clinics need to inform patients about safe options available.
“All clinics have an obligation to refer any client requesting the service to safe clinics where they can access the service.
“The problem we find is that these access points are not easily available and publicised and thus the clinics may not know where to refer to,” said Chiningwenya.
She said the rise in illegal termination is alarming, but sadly they don’t know what the actual stats are.
She said people need to be aware of the dangers of illegal termination.
“Unsafe terminations, which include self-induced abortions, can lead to serious health complications, such as haemorrhaging, septicemia, internal organ damage, tetanus, sterility and even death.
“Women who don’t fall ill, often find themselves with a continued pregnancy as self-inducing an abortion can be unsuccessful due to not knowing the relevant medication and methods for a particular woman’s health history and stage of pregnancy,” explained Chiningwenya.
The EXPRESS asked what might be the cause for people to have a pregnancy illegally terminated.
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“I do not believe paying for the service results in ‘backstreet’ abortion. The illegal providers charge for their services and, contrary to popular belief, these providers are not cheaper than safe and legal providers,” said Chiningwenya.
She urged people to inform themselves on the issue.
“I would like to encourage all women needing to access safe abortion services to do their research and find a safe and legal provider. Access to a safe service is every woman’s right. These unsafe, ‘backstreet’ abortions are easily prevented if more women are informed of their rights. ‘Backstreet’ is also a term that can be misleading because today many unsafe, illegal providers appear somewhat legitimate, posing behind slick marketing and flashy websites promising a ‘cheap, safe and pain-free’ abortion,” said Chinangwenya.
Contact Yeoville SAPS Social Crime Prevention Unit on 072 456 8360 or the victim empowerment centre on 011 481 0300, Marie Stopes on 011 463 8048, Door of Hope on 011 484 9930 or Frida Hartley Shelter on 011 648 6005.
