BY LERATO PHOSISI
A 47-year-old man from Boschkop appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on Monday facing an attempted murder charge after allegedly infecting his girlfriend with HIV by concealing his status.
The accused, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the complainant, is accused of misleading his 38-year-old partner about his health throughout their relationship from October 2025 to June 2026.
According to the State, the man repeatedly told the woman he was HIV negative. The deception came to light on 26 June 2026, when the complainant said she found antiretroviral medication in his bag.
Court documents allege that when confronted, the accused admitted he was HIV positive. The State further alleges he told her he had intentionally infected her because he “did not want her to be with anyone else.”
The woman underwent an HIV test on 25 July 2026 at a medical facility and received a positive result. She reported the matter to police the next day. The accused was arrested at their shared residence on 26 July 2026 and has remained in custody since. The matter was postponed to 3 August 2026 for the court to obtain formal bail information.
Prosecutors say the case highlights the criminal implications of deliberate HIV transmission. Under South African law, a person who intentionally infects another with HIV can face charges ranging from assault to attempted murder, depending on the circumstances and intent.
The National Prosecuting Authority has not commented further while the matter is before court. Legal experts note that cases of this nature are rare but closely watched, as they test the intersection of public health, personal disclosure, and criminal liability.
