Zimbabwean linked to Aussie HIV sex crimes

Australia- A Zimbabwean circus acrobat accused of spreading HIV to a woman through unprotected sex is being extradited from Sydney to the Gold Coast. Queensland police have charged Godfrey Zaburoni, 31, with two charges, including grievous bodily harm, after a woman who tested positive to HIV made a complaint against him. Health officials say other women in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria could have been infected.

Acting Queensland Deputy Police Commissioner Col McCallum says Zaburoni, who has been HIV positive since 1997, has given authorities the names of 12 women with whom he has had sex. “What we’re urging for is for anybody involved with this person to come forward. Firstly and primarily we’re concerned about their health and wellbeing,” he said.

“And we ask them to contact Queensland Health. If they have further concerns, we ask them to contact the police through the CrimeStoppers hotline.”

Zaburoni, a Zimbabwean-born Australian citizen, has appeared as a contestant on Channel Seven program Australia’s Got Talent. A Sydney court this morning approved his extradition to Queensland and he will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow.

Queensland chief health officer Dr Jeanette Young says it is possible more women could have been infected. “I’m not confident about the numbers. I think there’s a number. Of those 12, not all of those are in Queensland,” she said.

“Seven of those were in Queensland. The others were in New South Wales and Victoria, but he’s also been in other states.

“Unfortunately, he was not able to give us sufficient information so we could contact those women directly.” ABC.net

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