A Tonota mother and her daughter are in police custody following the death of a woman whom they are suspected to have aided in a backyard abortion.
As investigations continue, the police have confirmed that they have not yet found the foetus.
There are reports that after terminating unwanted pregnancies, the suspects feed the foetuses to their dogs. At the time of going to press, the number of similar cases involving the suspects had not yet been determined.
The Telegraph has, however, turned up information that the two are being investigated on a number of illegal terminations of pregnancy cases.
The case was confirmed by detective Assistant Superintendent Bigboy Nkhwanana of Tonota police station who explained that his station is investigating the death of a35-year-old woman who allegedly committed a backyard abortion.
He said the deceased is suspected to have been between seven and eight months pregnant when the incident occurred.
The police are questioning the two in connection with the incident.
“We have not found the foetus. As our investigations are still at a preliminary stage, we are unable to speculate on its whereabouts,” said Nkhwanana.
On the allegations that the suspects have been feeding their dogs with foetuses, Nkhwanana replied that all they know is that the suspects have a vicious dog that is usually chained during the day and is released in the evening.
“This is news to me,” he said.
Nkhwanana said although the two have not yet been charged, there is a likelihood of criminal charges being preferred against them upon completion of investigations. He did not want to comment on whether or not they had taken the dog for examination.
The detective warned that it was a criminal offence to terminate pregnancies and that the law will deal with those found to be committing such heinous crimes.
Tonota Senior Sub Tribal Authority’s Ramosinyi Radipitse said he is aware of the incident but could not comment because the police were already handling the case.
