Ex-SANDF member gets life for infecting partner with HIV

[GRAPHIC WARNING]

A former South African National Defence Force(SANDF) soldier has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his girlfriend and infecting her with HIV.

Leon Conga and the victim, Antoinette Ndishishi, were involved in a romantic relationship from December 2016 until April 2017.

It is alleged that he misled the victim by saying he was HIV negative.

However, the state provided evidence which revealed that Conga first tested HIV positive in October 2007, and therefore was aware of his HIV status when he removed the condom and had intercourse with the victim.

“After the man was convicted, the NPA asked the court impose the sentence of life imprisonment. The NPA welcomes the sentence in hopes that sentence will send a clear message that offences of this nature that have permanent adverse impact on the victim will not be tolerated,” says National Prosecuting A Regional spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana.