RUSAPE, Zimbabwe – A 23-year-old woman from Rusape has been remanded in custody on charges of illegal abortion after a community informant discovered a fetus in a pit toilet.
The Rusape Magistrates’ Court granted the woman US$50 bail and set her next court appearance for October 6, 2025.
The State alleges that on September 19, 2025, an informant saw the suspect “having difficulties walking” while carrying a bucket toward a toilet at Bamba Business Centre.
Later, the informant noticed “blood stains around the pit of the Blair toilet” and, knowing the woman was pregnant, grew suspicious.
Upon confronting the woman, the informant “noticed blood on the offender’s hands.”
The suspect allegedly claimed she had “slaughtered a chicken the previous night.”
The informant then returned to the toilet, looked into the pit, and “discovered a fetus,” leading to a police report.
“The criminal justice system values the sanctity of life, and commends the informant and the community for reporting the case,” the National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement.
Abortion in Zimbabwe is generally illegal under the Termination of Pregnancy Act.
The law only permits termination in strict circumstances: if the pregnancy endangers the woman’s life, poses a serious risk of permanent physical injury to the woman, or in cases of rape or incest.
Performing an illegal abortion can lead to imprisonment for both the person undergoing the procedure and anyone who assists.
