A mother was horrified to learn that her son was infected with HIV by her close friend.

 Mercy Muchemwa of Masvingo, Zimbabwe, was arrested after she allegedly infected a 6-year-old boy with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) after repeatedly raping him.

Muchemwa, who was a close friend of the child's mother, bought his silence by giving him cash ranging from $1 to $2 after raping him.

The matter came to light when the child was diagnosed with an advanced form of a sexually transmitted disease.

Prosecutor Mukai Mutumhe said that after the boy learned of his illness, he was asked who violated him, and he said that it was the friend of his mother.

Muchemwa was arrested and charged with of aggravated indecent assault. She is being held without bail.