Sentencing proceedings of ex-SANDF member found guilty of attempted murder of ex-girlfriend to get underway
Leon Santos Conga was convicted of attempted murder and rape of Antoinette Ndishishi, after failing to disclose his HIV status to her.
Picture: Pexels
JOHANNESBURG - Sentencing proceedings for a former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member who's been found guilty of attempted murder after failing to disclose his HIV status to his ex-girlfriend are set to get underway in the Pretoria Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Leon Santos Conga was convicted of attempted murder and rape of Antoinette Ndishishi.
The court found that she only consented to having sex with him on the understanding that he was HIV-negative and that he knew this was not the case.
Lobby group AfriForum's private prosecution unit has been assisting Ndishishi.
Spokesperson Barry Bateman said they're confident ahead of Wednesday’s proceedings.
"AfriForum’s private prosecution unit is confident Antoinette Ndishishi will present a compelling case for why Mr Conga should spend a long time in jail. The court found she was an outstanding witness, and she presented a true case of what happened to her."
Bateman said Ndishishi would tell the court about the impact being infected with HIV has had on her life.
"This will contribute to the magistrate’s decision on how Mr Conga should be sentenced. We’re also confident that given what we’ve heard so far in this trial, that the court will impose a hefty sentence. Our unit will be alongside Antoinette, and we will continue to support her through this process."