Man bashes wife after testing HIV+

A MASVINGO couple were left fighting after they went for an HIV test and the wife tested positive but refused divorce, a local court heard last week.

The drama spilled into the courts after Moses Machino, 31, bashed his wife (name withheld) as he tried to force an end to the marriage.

Machino, who could not hide his hurt as he stood in court, was warned and discharged for domestic violence by provincial magistrate, Langton Ndokera.

Testifying, the wife said Machino left her for Gweru where had secured a building contract but refused to fend for the family.

"I don't know what got into me," she told the court in tears.

"I had no food and he was refusing to pay for my rentals. So I had to do what I did to get some money to survive."

Prosecutor Fedelicy Nyamukondiwa told how, in March this year, the couple went into Masvingo town to wait for the wife's sister who was expected from South Africa.

The court heard that Machino had contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which was proving difficult to cure.

While in town, the couple decided to have a HIV test at a local clinic.

The wife tested positive leading to the squabbling and fights as Machino demanded a divorce.

The wife later reported the assault to the police.