Southlea Park Man Jailed for Assaulting Girlfriend After HIV Disclosure Dispute

 

A 38-year-old Southlea Park man has been sentenced to an effective nine months in prison after assaulting his 31-year-old girlfriend following a confrontation over HIV infection.

The man was convicted by the Mbare Magistrates’ Court on charges of physical abuse.

The court sentenced him to 12 months’ imprisonment, with three months suspended for five years on condition of good behaviour, leaving an effective nine-month custodial sentence.

The court heard that on March 8, 2026, the offender repeatedly punched his girlfriend in the face at Southlea Park shops.

The assault reportedly occurred after the victim questioned him about why he had infected her with HIV.

Following the attack, the woman was referred for a medical examination, and the medical report was later produced in court as evidence during the trial.