South African man charged with attempted murder for intentional HIV infection

A 47-year-old South African man has been granted R2,000 bail by the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court while facing charges of attempted murder. The accused is alleged to have intentionally infected his 38-year-old girlfriend with HIV.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the man reportedly concealed his HIV-positive status from the woman during their relationship, which lasted from October 2025 to June 2026. The complainant allegedly discovered antiretroviral (ARV) medication in the man's bag on June 26, 2026, leading to a confrontation.

NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana stated that the accused allegedly admitted to being HIV-positive and claimed he intentionally infected the woman because he did not want her to be in a relationship with anyone else. Following a positive test result on July 25, 2026, the woman reported the incident to the police, resulting in the man's arrest at their shared residence. The state did not oppose bail, noting the accused was not considered a flight risk. The case is postponed until August 27, 2026.