PRETORIA - A 47-year-old man accused of intentionally infecting his former girlfriend with HIV is expected to appear in the Pretoria magistrate’s court on Monday.
The man faces a charge of attempted murder.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the alleged offences took place between October 2025 and June 2026 while the man and the 38-year-old complainant were in a relationship.
The State alleges the accused falsely claimed he was HIV negative throughout the relationship.
Mahanjana said the woman later found antiretroviral (ARV) medication in his bag and confronted him.
He allegedly admitted that he was HIV positive and told her he had intentionally infected her because he did not want her to be with anyone else.
On 25 July 2026, the woman underwent an HIV test at a medical facility and was informed that she had tested positive.
The matter was subsequently reported to police, who arrested the accused at his home.
The TEARS Foundation said that, if proven, the allegations would represent a serious violation of trust, bodily autonomy and informed consent.
The organisation stressed that gender-based violence is not limited to physical abuse and can also include manipulation, coercive control and deception that strips victims of their ability to make informed decisions.
It also cautioned against stigmatising people living with HIV, saying the issue is not a person’s HIV status but the alleged intentional deception and harm.
The foundation encouraged anyone who believes they have been deliberately exposed to HIV or is experiencing abuse to seek immediate medical care and support, adding that survivors should be treated with dignity, compassion and access to trauma-informed services.