Man who pricked wife with HIV needles jailed

Artwell Chakanyuka

HIV testing and counselling is being offered to people after the identity of a man who infected his wife was revealed.The name suppression of Artwell Chakanyuka was lifted by a court this week.

The 35-year-old had been sexually active across Auckland and women who had had sex with him should get in touch with the police or health services.

Detective Simon Jeffries, of Counties Manukau Police, says: “We’ve been able to determine the offender has been sexually active with other women in the Auckland area over the past few years.

“Anyone who hasn’t been in touch with the police or health services regarding contact with this man, and who has health concerns, should contact a doctor or health provider as soon as possible.”

Chakanyuka was jailed for eight years and four months on February 3 for wilfully infecting his 33-year-old wife with the virus, by pricking her with needles contaminated with his blood. His intention was that she would catch the disease and resume having sex with him.

Now the New Zealand Aids Foundation (NZAF) is encouraging people to access HIV testing and support services.Eamonn Smythe, director of positive health services, says: “This is a distressing situation.

“People who find out they may have been exposed to HIV will be stressed out. We advise them to access testing and support services as soon as possible.”

Mr Smythe says that HIV has far-reaching consequences, and support for people affected needs to continue beyond testing.

Facts about HIV/Aids

• HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is the virus that causes Aids. A member of a group of viruses called retroviruses, HIV infects human cells and uses the energy and nutrients provided by those cells to grow and reproduce.

• HIV can only be spread through bodily fluids such as semen or blood. Using condoms and lube can prevent sexual contact spread.

• Aids stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. It is a disease in which the body’s immune system breaks down, and is unable to fight off infections and other illnesses that take advantage of a weakened immune system.

• The NZAF provides free thera-peutic services with qualified counsellors and psychotherapists before, and after testing for positive and negative results.