THREE suspects, who were arrested in separate undercover operations in Windhoek last week for allegedly selling Cytotec abortion pills, have been granted bail.
Khomas police spokesperson warrant officer Silas Shipandeni said in the first operation, Elizabeth Haingura (22) and Collin Zimmer (30) were arrested at Wernhil Park on Wednesday after they were allegedly found in possession of eight Cytotec pills valued at N$3 200.
In the second undercover operation, Sande Vivienne (26) was arrested at Katutura’s Damara location when she was allegedly found with two Cytotec pills worth N$600 last week on Thursday.
Shipandeni said the arrests came after the abortion pills were advertised on social media platforms.
Haingura and Zimmer appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court last Thursday and were granted N$1 000 bail each. Their case was postponed to 20 July for further investigations.
Vivienne appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court in Katutura last Friday and was granted N$500 bail. Her matter was postponed to 15 July for the appointment of a Legal Aid defence attorney.
The accused are charged in terms of the contravention of the Medicines and Related Substances Control Act 13 of 2003, Section 25(1).
Abortion is illegal in Namibia and can only be performed under exceptional circumstances and strict medical supervision within the confines of the law. The law states that consent to abortion can only be given in cases of rape, incest and when the life of the mother is in danger. The debate on whether abortion should be legalised in Namibia is ongoing and has included groups arguing for and against the practice.
Health minister Kalumbi Shangula told The Namibian in 2020 that he can push to legalise abortion in Namibia if he gets enough support from women.
About 7 000 unsafe abortions were recorded in 2017, medical doctor David Emvula told a parliamentary hearing on the issue last year.
He also said from 1 April 2018 to March 2021, 14 Namibian women died from abortion complications.
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