Justice finally served in rape, attempted murder case against former SANDF member - AfriForum's private prosecution unity

JOHANNESBURG - AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit said that justice had finally been served, after former South African National Defence Force (SANDF) member, Leon Santos Conga, was sentenced to life in prison for infecting his unwitting ex-girlfriend with HIV.

Conga tested positive for the virus in 2007 but never disclosed this to his ex, Antoinette Ndishishi, who has consented to being identified, and she was then diagnosed with it in 2017.

The Pretoria Magistrates Court found Conga guilty of rape and attempted murder in June, and on Wednesday he was sentenced to life behind bars for the former and ten years in prison for the latter.

AfriForum’s Private Prosecution Unit has been actively involved in the case since 2018.

Spokesperson Barry Bateman: "We’re very relieved for Antoinette because justice has finally been served. She had asked for a heavy sentence on the accused and this is what was imposed."

READ: Court hears of woman's anxiety, fear after she was infected with HIV unknowingly

Bateman said, though, the case was twice withdrawn because the SANDF refused to provide Conga’s medical records, and it was only after their intervention that the SANDF was forced to do so and the matter was again re-enrolled and finally taken to trial.

"It’s a demonstration that women out there still have a very big fight to ensure matters make it before court, that they’re properly investigated and decisions are made to ensure the trial takes place.

"But we make it clear that women must not keep quiet, they must come out, there are organisations, there are people, that will listen to them. And there are prosecutors that are prepared to fight their cases. So they mustn't keep quiet and we as an organisation, we will continue to support women in such fights," Bateman said.