Gauteng man charged with attempted murder after girlfriend tests positive for HIV

A 47-year-old man from Boschkop has appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on a charge of attempted murder after his 38-year-old girlfriend tested positive for HIV, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.

Allegations of misrepresentation and intentional infection

According to NPA spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the couple were in a relationship from October 2025 to June 2026.

“During this period, the accused allegedly misrepresented his HIV status to the complainant, informing her that he was HIV negative,”

the NPA said.

The NPA said the complainant discovered antiretroviral (ARV) medication in the accused’s bag in June 2026 and confronted him.

“The accused allegedly admitted that he was HIV positive and informed her that he had intentionally infected her because he did not want her to be with another person,”

Mahanjana added.

Testing, report and arrest

The NPA said the complainant underwent an HIV test at a medical facility in July 2026, where she tested positive. She reported the matter to police the following day, and the accused was arrested at the couple’s residence.

Court appearance and next steps

The accused appeared in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court and the matter was postponed to 3 August 2026 for the obtaining of bail information. He remains in custody, the NPA said.

What the NPA statement shows

The facts publicly provided by the NPA in this matter focus on the alleged misrepresentation of HIV status, the discovery of ARV medication, a subsequent positive HIV test for the complainant, the lodging of a police report and the accused’s arrest and custody pending further court procedures.