EX-OFFENDER Thapelo Tloubatla was 32 years old when he was sentenced to five years imprisonment for theft.
After getting arrested and serving his time in prison, he discovered that he was HIV positive.
The 42-year-old from Nellmapius in Tshwane thought life was over when he learnt about his status.
He revealed to Daily Sun that he contracted the disease through sexual intercourse.
“There’s a lady I used to sleep with. She was not my girlfriend. We would have sex now and then, sometimes outside the tavern, just for fun,” said Thapelo.
He said before knowing his status he suspected that he had the virus because of his ill-health and the symptoms he had.
“I realised that something was wrong with me when I started experiencing sores in my body and hands. Then I was tested only to find out I was HIV positive. I felt so sad. I started asking myself what would happen to me. I didn’t have information on how to take care of myself when in that state,” he said.
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Thapelo said he was on medication while serving his term in prison.
He stated that it was not an easy journey as some days he'd get so sick that his 4-5 would be painful when he urinated and would sometimes not be able to hold himself and would just wake up in a mess, with both urine and kak.
Thapelo said when he was released from prison, that’s when he started getting support from the local clinic where he collects his medication, and this is when he learnt that there’s life even if you are HIV positive.
"One just needs to take care of themselves, eat right, and take their medication.
“When I was released from prison, I wanted to confront the lady I suspected to have infected me. Unfortunately, I found out that she died while I was still in jail. The only thing I wanted to ask her was, what have you done to me?” he said.
Thapelo is asking for assistance to launch an organisation where he can teach youngsters about the importance of knowing their status and how to take care of themselves by always condomizing.
“I need a building where I can educate people about HIV/Aids and share my story. People don’t have to lose themselves just because they are HIV positive,” he said.
