The Chronicle

BULAWAYO, Friday, March 29, 1968 — Hasmuk Khanji Patel (20), of 31 Second Avenue, Bulawayo, was jailed for two years at Bulawayo Magistrate’s Court yesterday for culpable homicide.

He appeared in court after the death of a 20-yearold Coloured girl on November 5 last year. He was originally committed for trial with Elliot Dan Menzi Sibanda (30) on a charge of culpable homicide or alternately attempting to procure an abortion.

Patel’s case was remitted to the Magistrate’s Court, Bulawayo, by the Attorney-General.

In judgment, the Provincial Magistrate, Mr RS Coleman, said that Patel, who pleaded guilty, and Sibanda had “callously used the most crude methods” in procuring an abortion on the girl.

“When she asked for medical attention, Patel refused, leaving her in excruciating pain. His fear was that he would be found out and sent to jail.

“The accused got himself into trouble and instead of doing the sensible thing by reporting the matter to his parents and the parents of the girl, he subjected this girl to these callous and brutal operations which finally took her life.

“The taking of an incipient life is always abhorrent to contemplate. But this went further. It also resulted in the girl’s death”.

Mr Coleman said he considered the offence so serious that it warranted a severe sentence. Bail of £40 was allowed pending an appeal. Mr G Rabinovitch (Ben Baron and Partners) appeared for Patel and Mr DW Sievwright prosecuted.