By Palesa Matlala
A man looking for scrap metal in Protea Glen, Soweto, made a shocking discovery in mid-July. He found six burnt foetuses dumped in an open field near Big Sky Hardware.
There have been no arrests. Local residents, including Olga Lereme, have started their own investigation to find out what happened.
Lereme told Scrolla.Africa that she and her neighbours suspect that illegal abortion pills are being sold to underage girls who want to end unwanted pregnancies.
“My teenage daughter told me that school-going girls are afraid of being judged by nurses at local clinics and legal abortion clinics, and they would rather go to the illegal ones, which puts their lives at risk,” said Lereme.
However, Lereme’s Grade 12 daughter explained that there is no illegal abortion clinic. “It is a man who sells abortion pills and doesn’t stay in one place.”
The man is said to be a former pharmacist who targets young girls, selling the black pills for R120 each.
Lereme said she got his contact details and tried to set up a meeting. “I called and wanted to make an appointment with him, but he told me that I sound mature and he can’t help me. He only deals with young school girls. We tried calling again and the number kept on going to voicemail.”
She said she was horrified to learn that “the pill ejects the foetus from a woman’s body after experiencing extreme pain as if you are in labour”.
“It is heartbreaking that young girls now trust strangers more than their parents or even healthcare workers, who are better trained to handle such situations,” Lereme said.
Scrolla.Africa tried to call the number on several days but it no longer works. It is still not clear if the man is linked to the six foetuses found in the area.
Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a case of concealment of birth with six counts had been opened.
“Police were called by a member of the community after a man noticed burnt fetuses. No arrests have been made and we are appealing to anyone who might have information that can help in the investigation to please call the nearest police station or call crime stop on 08600 10111,” said Nevhuhulwi.
Pictured above: A police tape.
Image source: X
