Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
R50k or five years in jail: Man sentenced for selling abortion tablets
25-year-old Johan Turyamureba was sentenced for contravening the Medicines and Related Substances Act by selling abortion tablets.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
A man was sentenced for contravening the Medicines and Related Substances Act in the East London Regional Court on Thursday, 30 September. Johan Turyamureba was arrested by the Hawks earlier this year for selling abortion tablets to members of the Eastern Cape community.
MAN SENTECED TO JAIL FOR SELLING ABORTION PILLS
Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said members of the East London based Hawks South African Narcotics Enforcement Bureau arrested Turyamureba following an intelligence driven operation, which involved local Crime Intelligence, in August 2021.
The 25-year-old caught the Hawks’ attention after allegations that he was selling Cytotec tablets to members of the East London community.
“Cytotec tablets are under Schedule 4 category under the Medicine and related substances which is only dealt, sold and distributed by registered medical practitioners or pharmacists,” said Mgolodela.
Cytotec tablets can be used to prevent stomach ulcers. However, if the person who ingests the drug is pregnant it may cause abortion, premature birth or birth defects – or even uterine rupture in severe cases.
Prior to his arrest on 27 August, Hawks members made three successful purchases of abortion tablets between 17 and 27 August during a clandestine operation. Eventually, 26 abortion tablets worth R4500 were seized from Turyamureba who was immediately arrested.
He made his first appearance before the East London Regional Court on 30 August and several appearances later he was sentenced for contravening the Medicines and Related Substances Act.
Turyamureba was given the option of five years direct imprisonment or a R50 000 fine, along with a five-year suspended sentence.
