12 September 2008
Landmark Case of Wrong HIV Diagnosis Postponed

The High Court case for Kgakgamatso Sekgabetlela represented by the Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) has been postponed to Friday 19th September 2008 at Lobatse High Court at 9.30 am. Renowned lawyer and human rights activist who is also the chairperson of BONELA, Duma Boko will represent BONELA’s client.

The case to determine the quantum of damages to be awarded to Sekgabetlela has been postponed to give the attorneys for the two parties more time to prepare their submissions as it is a landmark case, setting a legal precedence in the jurisprudence of case law in Botswana.
 
Last month, in an agreed summary of facts, the Government of Botswana agreed that the plaintiff was wrongfully diagnosed as HIV positive, that such false diagnosis was a result of negligence on its part and that the plaintiff had suffered damages as a result of such negligence.

For details or queries, please contact BONELA on 393 2516 or email media@bonela.org or visit the BONELA website on www.bonela.org