Katlego, who is fifteen years old, is 19 weeks pregnant. She visits Dr Coleman, the local medical practitioner, to find out about termination of the pregnancy. Answer the following questions:
(a) She does not want to tell her parents about the pregnancy. May Dr Coleman terminate the pregnancy without her parents’ consent? Provide a reason for your answer. (2)
(b) Katlego tells Dr Coleman that the pregnancy is the result of her being raped by a family friend, and that she does not want to have the baby. However, Dr Coleman is concerned that the pregnancy is quite advanced. May he proceed with the termination under these circumstances? Provide a reason for your answer. (2)
(c) Katlego’s friend has told her that the foetus has constitutional rights that have to be considered before termination can take place. Briefly discuss this with reference to authority. (3)
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