Women continue to experience harassment while using public transport in Kwatsaduzu

Tsakane – The community is encouraged to be more vigilant as they use public transport as more unsuspecting women fall prey.

In the recent weeks, we have received complaints from commuters about going through a traumatic experience in some of the local taxis.

Gugu Ndlovu* (18) says when she took a taxi from Dunswart Taxi Rank on Sunday, she had no idea how the ride would end.

“It was around 6.30 in the evening, and everything seemed normal when I got in.”

She says that she realised there was trouble when it was her turn to get off the taxi.

“There was just me and another girl left in the taxi.

“I asked her where she was getting off and immediately she started crying.”

Gugu says she then told the driver that she would like to get off and he became rude.

“He told me that I can’t get off and started calling me derogatory names.”

She says she feared for her life when the driver drove right past the place where she was meant to get off.

“He was speeding and I knew he wouldn’t stop.”

More than two kilometres from where she was meant to be dropped off, Gugu jumped out of the moving car.

“There were people who saw me as a opened the door before I jumped, so they came running when I fell.”

She lost consciousness.

When Gugu and her family tried to lay a complaint with the police, they could not be helped because they did not have the taxi’s registration and she could not remember much about the car.

Captain Thabo Sibuyi encourages the community to be more vigilant when using public transport.

“Take down the registration number of the taxi and as much detail as you can about the vehicle before you get in.”

In a separate incidence, in KwaThema, a taxi ride turned into a game of Russian roulette.

Thando Mvelase* says on Tuesday she boarded a taxi to Springs to attend her morning lectures.

“I found two men in the taxi but this was not a problem.

“When the taxi approached Springs, the driver started making advances and proposing his undying love.

“I told him I was not interested but he stopped and told the other guy in the taxi to take over the wheel and jumped into the back seat.

“He started fondling me while I tried to push him off but he kept on persisting.

“He demanded my numbers but I refused, he then took my phone, dialled his numbers and called himself to get my numbers.

“I was saved by arriving at my destination,” she says.

Springs Taxi Association PRO Willie Sithole says the commuters should refrain from boarding taxis without visible Spring Association stickers or the taxi sign on top of the car.

“There are criminals who are trying to taint the image of the taxi industry.

“We have previously received complaints from the commuters about drivers that go around the neighbourhood pretending to be operating in the area.

“Then they strip them of their valuables once they board the taxi.

“We are working with the police to track them down and allow the law to take its course,” he says.

Sithole says should the driver be rude or you encounter any problem while in the taxi, the passenger must write down the registration number and report the matter to the taxi association in Springs or at Majola Taxi Rank in KwaThema.

“They can also call us on 011 815 6240,” he says.

*Not real names used.