Death of an innocent

Busisiwe Maqungo (28) had her suspicions that she was at risk of being HIV positive long before receiving confirmation via a test. In fact she was told her baby was HIV positive, before undergoing a test herself.

“I am not saying it was my ex-boyfriend, but I just didn’€™t trust him and he was always sick. I had my suspicions, but never really acted on them.”

Last year Maqungo gave birth to a baby girl.

“The baby was really ill and the doctor said we should do an HIV test as it was unusual for a baby to have pneumonia and diarrhoea at such a young age,” says Maqungo.

“I didn’€™t expect the results to be positive, so it was really a big shock when they told me. At that stage it wasn’€™t even the fact that it meant I was HIV positive as well. I was only concerned about my baby and trying to keep her alive and healthy until they find a cure.”

It was later confirmed that the father of the child was also HIV positive.

“I think I was denying the fact that I was HIV positive. When I finally accepted I asked God why he did it to my child. Why not only me?”

Nomazizi was nine months old when she died on January 31 this year,

“After her death I was prepared to disclose my status. Since then my friends have supported me. I feel healthy and strong at the moment and I still hope that something will be found to cure me.”

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