Only a cure or death will reveal Virus’s identity

29 June 2015 - 14:48 By Sipho Masombuka

Meet “Virus”‚ Tshwane’s own mystery man who has sacrificed his identity for over a decade‚ giving HIV/Aids a taste of its own medicine: Mystery. Until a cure can be found‚ the 34-year-old butchers assistant‚ who has become celibate to protect his identity‚ has sworn to live behind a skeleton-printed gown and matching mask.“I have assumed the identity of the ‘virus’ I am fighting. I am deadly and mysterious. I am a moving skeleton. The black cape symbolises the black mourning gown worn by widows.“I am an HIV/Aids mascot. This is important to me‚ it is a matter of life and death. Only a cure or death will reveal my identity‚” he says.A creation of former Rietgat police station spokesperson and motivational speaker Colonel Lucas Sithole‚ “Virus” the poet was born on May 29‚ 2003 to “scare” people into believing that HIV/Aids is real.He uses public events to raise awareness‚ arriving in the back of a police van with siren blaring to scare people.“I cannot be free. I am deadly so police escort me to events. Police open for me‚ I jump out and recite my poem ‘I am Virus’ before they drag me back and speed off‚” he said.Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Lolo Mangena said they use “Virus” as a strategic partner in their social outreach programmes.“We use him in campaigns to raise awareness on drug abuse‚ teenage pregnancies and HIV/Aids‚” he said.Virus celebrates his “birthdays” by throwing parties at HIV/Aids orphanages and hospices.According to United Nations estimates‚ 12.2% of South Africa’s population – or 6.4-million people - are HIV-positive. – RDM News Wires, The Times..

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