By: Natasha Archary

A former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldier has been convicted of attempted murder and rape after infecting his partner with HIV.
Leon Santos Conga failed to disclose his HIV status to his former partner, Antoinette Ndishishi, subsequently infecting her with the virus.
Antoinette approached AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit in 2018 for support in fighting her case.
The unit managed to find critical evidence which proved Santos Conga was aware of his HIV status from 2007, helping secure his conviction.
It’s taken years to conclude the case as AfriForum’s Private Prosecuting Unit had to force SANDF to release Santos Conga’s medical records.
Santos Conga pleaded not guilty to the charges against him in March 2022.
On Tuesday, Pretoria Magistrate Fikiswa Ntlati convicted Conga of rape because Ndishishi only consented to having sex with him on the understanding that he was HIV-negative.
The court accepted Ndishishi’s testimony that if Conga had disclosed his status, she would not have agreed to have sex. The couple had discussed the issue, but he withheld this information from her.
Expert testimony that HIV infection is an “incurable and fatal disease” was provided in court and Antoinette was found to be a credible witness.
Antoinette says she is grateful for the support from the Private Prosecution Unit.
“Before that, I only had the support of my mother. I feel like I got justice because he was found guilty on both counts, attempted murder and rape. Honestly, hearing the words of the magistrate convict him and find him guilty, I actually cried. I cried because I’d been fighting for seven years, so I was very happy.
It would be nice for other women to come out and report such matters because in South Africa, we’ve got a high rate of HIV infections. They shouldn’t be afraid. I know most of the ladies would say they are afraid to come out because of the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and also because of the lengthy court process. But if you’re patient and firm in your decision, then obviously you’re going to make it. They shouldn’t be afraid. I believe such people need to be locked up.”
The matter has been postponed to 7 August 2024 for sentence argument.
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