Finding out your partner has been unfaithful is a gut punch, but discovering they’ve also left you with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) can feel like your world is ending. It’s a heavy mix of betrayal and fear that no one is ever truly prepared for. However, once the initial shock wears off, you’re left with some tough questions: How serious is this for my health? Can I make them pay for the medical bills? And what does the law actually say about it here in South Africa? Before you dive into a legal battle that might cost you more in lawyer fees than you’ll ever see in compensation, it’s vital to understand the practical reality of your health and the specific hoops you’ll have to jump through in our legal system.
However, it’s really important to keep in mind that not every STD is a death sentence or a lifelong burden. While some can be very serious, many are actually quite mild. They might cause temporary discomfort, but with the right treatment, they can often be cured within a few days to a few weeks.
Now, if you’re thinking about taking legal action and trying to get your partner to pay for your medical bills because they gave you an STD, there’s something crucial to understand. Even if you manage to convince a court that they were indeed the one who infected you – and proving that can be a very complicated and difficult process – the money you might recover for your medical costs will likely be tiny compared to the huge legal fees you’ll have to pay to get to that point. Lawyers and court cases in South Africa can be very expensive, and you could end up spending a lot more on legal help than you ever get back in compensation for your health.
In South Africa, no specific laws criminalise the non-disclosure, transmission or exposure of HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. So, what is the legal position if your partner has given you an incurable STD and/or a life-threatening disease?
If you can prove that your partner knew or ought to have known that he or she is infected with an incurable or life-threatening STD, and purposefully failed to inform you, or intentionally misled you about such before proceeding to infect you with the STD, he or she may be held liable, not only for your civil law damages but criminally too. It is important to note that you must prove that your partner is guilty of intentionally infecting you or failing to disclose his or her condition to you. If your partner is unaware of his or her condition, then no action may be taken against him or her. Your partner will also be viewed as a victim if he or she is unaware of the STD.
As no specific laws criminalise the non-disclosure, transmission or exposure of HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases, our Courts have adopted a workaround by applying general criminal law principles to matters where a partner who is aware of his or her condition, who isn’t taking any medication and still engages in unprotected sex with his or her partner knowing full and well that his or her partner will become infected with an incurable STD or HIV. Cases such as these have been linked to successful attempted murder and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and convictions.
Should you elect to make your and/or your partner’s STD status known publicly, as with a recent well-known local celebrity, the laws regarding defamation will apply. If it’s a true statement and you can prove that it was your partner who infected you and/or your partner is factually infected with an STD, then you may escape liability; however, if it is a false statement, your partner may sue you for the damages suffered to his or her good name and reputation.
At BBP Law, we are sensitive to everyone’s needs and shall respect your privacy during these rather emotional times. Contact us for advice or just be there for you during this time.
Matthew Ashworth
matthew@bbplaw.attorney
Senior Associate
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