Former Soldier Convicted of Attempted Murder and Rape After Infecting Partner with HIV

• Former SANDF member Leon Santos Conga was convicted of attempted murder and rape for intentionally infecting his former partner, Antoinette Ndishishi, with HIV
• Despite obstacles, AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit secured the conviction with crucial evidence of Conga's known HIV status since 2007
• Ndishishi, who approached the unit in 2018, urged other victims to report similar crimes, as Conga awaits sentencing

Reitumetse Makwea, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Pretoria, South Africa, has covered local elections, policy changes, the State of the Nation Address and political news at The Citizen and Rekord Noweto for over five years.

Former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member, Leon Santos Conga, has been convicted of attempted murder and rape after intentionally infecting his former partner with HIV.

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The conviction came after a lengthy legal battle led by Antoinette Ndishishi, represented by AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit.

Victim seeking justice

In a statement on X, AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit's (PPU) Communications Manager, Barry Bateman, said the case dates back to 2018 when Ndishishi approached the PPU seeking justice:

Evidence revealed Conga's status

Despite facing obstacles, including the SANDF's refusal to release Conga's medical records, the unit persisted in supporting Ndishishi's fight for accountability.

The evidence obtained by the Private Prosecution Unit, including Conga's medical records revealing his knowledge of his HIV status since 2007, played a crucial role in securing the conviction.

The court found that Conga's failure to disclose his HIV-positive status to Ndishishi before engaging in sexual relations amounted to rape, as she had only consented under the belief that he was HIV-negative.

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See the post on X below:

Conga awaits sentencing

Pretoria Magistrate Fikiswa Ntlati delivered the verdict, highlighting Ndishishi's credibility as a witness and emphasising the gravity of Conga's actions.

The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for 7 August 2024, as Conga awaits the consequences of his actions.

Ndishishi expressed gratitude for the unit's assistance and urged other women to come forward and report similar cases without fear of stigma or discrimination.

This case underscores the ongoing fight against HIV-related crimes and the importance of legal avenues for victims seeking recourse.

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Source: Briefly News