A 47-year-old Pretoria man accused of deliberately concealing his human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status from his partner before allegedly infecting her with the virus is expected to apply for bail next week after appearing in the Pretoria Magistrate’s Court on a charge of attempted murder.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the accused was in a relationship with the 38-year-old complainant between October 2025 and June 2026.

Prosecutors allege that throughout the relationship he falsely claimed to be HIV-negative despite allegedly knowing that he was living with HIV.

NPA Gauteng Division spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the complainant became suspicious after discovering antiretroviral (ARV) medication in the accused’s bag.

“It is alleged that the accused and the complainant were in a relationship between October 2025 and June 2026. During this period, the accused allegedly misrepresented his HIV status to the complainant, informing her that he was HIV negative. On 26 June 2026, it is alleged that the complainant discovered antiretroviral (ARV) medication in the accused’s bag and confronted him about it. 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. On 25 July 2026, the complainant underwent an HIV test at a medical facility and was informed that she had tested positive for HIV. The following day, she reported the matter to the police. The accused was subsequently arrested on the same day at their place of residence,” Mahanjana said in a statement.

The man, from Boschkop east of Pretoria in Gauteng Province, made a brief court appearance this week and remains behind bars. The case was postponed to 3 August 2026, when he is expected to bring a formal bail application.