<P> The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act was introduced in the first post-Apartheid parliament . It implemented the statement in the governing African National Congress' policy framework that "every woman must have the right to choose whether or not to have an early termination of pregnancy according to her own beliefs". Although it was requested that parliament members be allowed to vote according to their personal beliefs, the ruling party ruled that its own members may not vote against the act, and the Act passed by 209 votes to 87 (5 abstained, 99 were absent). It came into force on 1 February 1997 . </P> <P> During the first twelve weeks of a pregnancy, an abortion may be performed at the request of the woman . From the thirteenth to the twentieth week, a pregnancy may be terminated if it endangers the woman's mental or physical health, if the foetus may suffer from a severe mental or physical abnormality, if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, or if it would significantly affect the woman's social or economic circumstances . After the twentieth week, a pregnancy may only be terminated if it could endanger the woman's life, if the foetus is severely malformed, or if there is a risk of severe injury to the foetus . </P> <P> An abortion in the first twelve weeks may be performed by a medical practitioner or by an appropriately trained nurse or midwife; after twelve weeks it may only be performed by a doctor . </P> <P> Abortions may only be performed at facilities which meet certain requirements for staffing and equipment, and which have been approved by the provincial Member of the Executive Council (MEC) responsible for health . Facilities with a 24 - hour maternity service and which meet the other requirements do not require the MEC's approval to perform abortions in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy . </P>

Where will you find the following in choice on termination of pregnancy act 92 of 1996