Bulawayo Mayor Coltart stands with churches to block ‘liberalised’ abortion access

BULAWAYO – Mayor David Coltart has publicly endorsed a pastoral statement issued by the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) opposing proposed amendments to abortion provisions under the Medical Services Bill.

In a brief note released on Saturday, Coltart said he had “noted the attached statement” and “respectfully associate myself with and endorse[d] their comments,” aligning himself with the concerns raised by the country’s major Christian bodies.

The ZHOCD, which represents churches across Zimbabwe, warned that the proposed reforms would significantly widen access to abortion and, in their view, undermine long-standing legal, cultural, and theological protections for unborn life.

In their pastoral letter, the church leaders described the amendments as a “serious constitutional and moral challenge” and urged the Christian community to oppose what they characterised as an attempt to “expand and liberalise abortion in Zimbabwe.”

According to the pastoral statement, the proposed amendments would allow girls under 18 to access abortion on request up to 20 weeks and permit minors of any age to undergo the procedure without parental knowledge.

The church leaders have also objected to provisions that would remove spousal notification for married women and enable adults to obtain abortion on request within the same 20-week limit.

They further warned that broad mental-health clauses could open the door to late-term abortions and potentially enable sex-selective or disability-based terminations.

Other concerns included reduced reporting requirements, the authorisation of abortions by a single medical practitioner, and what they fear could be increased vulnerability of girls and women to abuse in the absence of parental or law-enforcement involvement.

In their appeal, the ZHOCD urged Christians nationwide to defend what they described as biblical and cultural values regarding the sanctity of life.

They called on believers to engage Members of Parliament, pray for national leaders, and reject reforms they say would “dismantle long-standing protections” and introduce “abortion on request” into the country.

“Zimbabwe has consistently upheld the sanctity of life. Our Constitution, culture, and shared spiritual values affirm this commitment.

The proposed amendments to the Medical Services Bill would dismantle long-standing protections and introduce abortion on request into our nation. For the sake of our moral integrity and social stability, these changes must be rejected,” the church stated.