A 47-year-old man has appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on a charge of attempted murder after allegedly transmitting HIV to his girlfriend.
The accused is from Boschkop, east of Pretoria.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the man and the 38-year-old complainant were in a relationship from October 2025 until June 2026.
The State alleges that he misrepresented his HIV status during their relationship.
According to Mahanjana, the accused allegedly told the woman that he was HIV-negative.
Woman discovers ARV medication
The allegations came to light on 26 June 2026 when the complainant allegedly found antiretroviral medication in the accused’s bag.
She confronted him about the medication and his HIV status.
The State alleges that the man admitted he was living with HIV.
He also allegedly told the woman that he had intentionally infected her because he did not want her to enter a relationship with another person.
These allegations have not yet been tested in court, and the accused has not been convicted.
HIV test returns positive
Following the confrontation, the woman went to a medical facility for an HIV test.
She was informed that she had tested positive.
The complainant reported the matter to the police the following day.
Police arrested the accused at the couple’s place of residence on the same day.
The State has charged him with attempted murder based on the allegations surrounding his HIV status, the alleged misrepresentation and his reported statement to the complainant.
Accused remains behind bars
The matter was postponed until 3 August 2026.
The postponement will allow the court to obtain information needed for the accused’s bail proceedings.
He will remain in custody until his next appearance.
The court has not yet made findings on whether the accused transmitted HIV to the complainant or whether he acted intentionally.
Those questions will form part of the evidence considered as the criminal case proceeds.
The State will be required to prove the attempted murder charge beyond reasonable doubt.