19-Year-Old Schoolgirl Prostitute Found HIV Positive

A South African woman who started prostituting from age 13 up to 19 for R50 (N760) has tested a HIV-positive, the Durban Regional Court heard on Monday. IOL.co.za reports that the 19-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, is currently completing Grade 10 in South Africa.

“No, I’m not taking drugs. I’m taking tablets for TB and for Aids,” the teenager said while she was being cross-examined by Arnand Nepaul, for Dr Genchen Rugnath.

Investigators found out that the victim might have contacted the virus while she was involved in commercial s*x at a brothel run by Sandile Patrick Zweni, Rugnath, Rugnath’s wife Ravina, Nonduzo Dlamini, and Bhabha Dubazini.

It was reported that all the accused pleaded not guilty to 156 charges, including assault, r*pe, s*xual exploitation of a child, and racketeering. They each have their own lawyers. The victim threatened she would not return to court when she was being asked questions about dates and events.

“I’m tired of being asked questions I do not know,” she said, crying.

 It was gathered that the 19-year-old had previously testified that she sold s*x at various lodges in Durban to buy drugs from Zweni.

One of the lodges is owned by Rugnath, who claims he knew nothing about prostitution at the hotel, in Durban’s Point Road area, and left the running to manageress Veena Budhram.

When asked what year she started prostituting and when she worked for Zweni, the woman said she had worked at the Inn Town Lodge since 2013.

The trial is said to be continuing.