South Africa continues to see shocking statistics on rape, teenage sexual activity, HIV/AIDS infection rates and other social problems. Marriage is no longer sacred, the Christian viewpoint is ridiculed and the homosexual lifestyle is being depicted as normal and even sometimes advantageous.

The are regulations that govern all broadcaster and others involved in media and we need to be vigilant and vocal every time they over step their boundaries.

The media generally cares only about viewers and readership and they will always push the limits in an attempt to be the most controversial or to attract a certain type of client. 

Make your voice heard

1) Write to the broadcaster or publication
2) Write to your local media telling them about your complaint
3) Write to the required authority and lodge your complaint formally
4) Send a copy of your correspondence to the CDA so we can assist in any follow up.

Illegal abortionists have mushroomed in cities all over South Africa.For as little as R200, illegal abortionists are touting their services quite openly.

What has shocked authorities is that these practitioners offer to provide "safe abortions" for pregnancies up to seven months. Even in the case of legal abortions, no woman who is over 12 weeks pregnant can demand to have an abortion.

The “doctors”, who advertise on lampposts and building walls, or whose employees hand out flyers to people on the streets, mostly operate under the guise of ‘professional herbalists’. The few who advertise as “doctors” only give out their first names and cell phone numbers and they do not say where they operate from until one makes an appointment.

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) said the fact that the names of the “doctors” were only written as “Dr Cure” or “Dr Liezel” was a clear indication they were not registered with any organisation as the full details were not given – including their registration numbers or the premises from where they operated.

Only qualified medical practitioners are allowed to carry out abortions. Women are risking their lives by going to these unsanitary, unqualified "doctors". The HPCSA said it had no jurisdiction over "bogus practitioners" and anyone "masquerading" as a medical practitioner must be reported to the police.

The council added that operating without the registration of the relevant regulatory authority was a criminal act. 

WHAT YOU MUST DO:

1.   Advise your local CDA office or contact our national office on national.office@cda.org.za

2.      Report these abortionists to the Department of Health and to your local police. Take along a copy of one of their adverts. Fax copies of the advertisements to the National Department of Health and to your provincial health department.

National Department of Health: 012 - 312 0000

Western Cape: 021 483 3245

Eastern Cape: 040- 609 3776 or 0800 0323 64

Kwazulunatal: 0800 005133
Freestate:051 - 4081273

Northern Cape: 053 – 830 2000

Gauteng:011 – 355 3000

Limpopo: 015 – 293 6000

Mpumalanga: 013 – 766 3429

North West: 101 777

       If the doctor is not registered with the Health Professions Council  and if the facilities do not meet the requirements of the Abortion Amendment Act (section 2 - i.e. they have to have emergency resuscitation equipment, be able to call ambulances, meet sanitary requirements) then they are illegal. It is unlikely that the “doctor” is registered, but you can phone the Health Professions Council on 012-3389441 to check.

3.      Tear the posters down. Unless these abortionists have municipal clearance, they are advertising illegally.

4.      If you can’t tear them down, stick one of our pro-life bumper stickers over the contact details.

5.      Order the Crisis Pregnancy poster (R2 each), which can be placed on hospital, school, church and community notice boards. This poster is designed for women facing unplanned pregnancies and contains contact details of Africa Cares for Life - the umbrella body of Crisis Pregnancy Centres in South Africa.

6.      Urge your local community newspaper and radio station to expose these abortionists, interview pro-life groups and to provide the contact numbers of Crisis Pregnancy Centres.

7.      Obtain pro-life DVDs such as God’s Miracle of Life or Abortion: The Real Story to educate your congregation or school on the right to life.

Bumper stickers, posters, pro-life DVDs, books and CDs can be ordered from: Christian Liberty Books: admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za, Tel/Fax: (021) 689-7478, www.christianlibertybooks.co.za.