South African man admits he intentionally infected his girlfriend with HIV because he didn’t want her to be in a relationship with another person

SOUTH AFRICA: South African man admits he intentionally infected his girlfriend with HIV because he didn’t want her to be in a relationship with another person

A 47-year-old South African man accused of deliberately infecting his girlfriend with HIV has been granted R2,000 bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court while facing a charge of attempted murder.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the accused allegedly concealed his HIV-positive status from his 38-year-old girlfriend during their relationship which lasted from October 2025 until June 2026.

The NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the man allegedly told the complainant that he was HIV negative.

However, on June 26, 2026, the woman reportedly discovered antiretroviral (ARV) medication in his bag and confronted him.

Mahanjana alleged that the accused and the complainant were in a relationship from October 2025 to June 2026.

“During this period, the accused allegedly misrepresented his HIV status by informing the complainant that he was HIV negative,” Mahanjana said.

According to the allegations, the accused admitted he was HIV positive and allegedly told the complainant that he had intentionally infected her.

“The accused allegedly admitted that he was HIV positive and further stated that he had intentionally infected her because he did not want her to be in a relationship with another person,” Mahanjana said.

The complainant later underwent an HIV test at a medical facility on July 25, 2026, and was informed that she had tested positive.

She reported the matter to police the following day, leading to the accused’s arrest at their shared residence.

During the bail application, the State did not oppose the man’s release, arguing that he was not considered a flight risk.

“The court found that it was in the interests of justice to release him on bail of R2 000,” Mahanjana said.

The case has been postponed to August 27, 2026, for the determination of a regional court date.

The accused remains charged with attempted murder.