Woman’s death at taxi rank shocks bystander
"An inquest docket has been opened and the matter will be investigated further."
Community members were shocked to see an elderly woman die at the Edenvale taxi rank on January 24.
According to an eyewitness, Mr Joseph Mahoko who provides security and offers assistance at the taxi rank, the incident occurred shortly after 10am.
Mr Mahoko said he was sitting nearby when he saw the woman die.
He said he was acquainted with the woman and would have conversations with her sometimes while she sat on the benches at the taxi rank.
“She was sitting in the shade. She then moved to the sun and that is when she fell over. She was sitting upright and just fell backwards, I asked some women who were nearby to help her back onto the other bench which was in the shade,” said Mr Mahoko.
He said once the woman was sitting on the bench in the shade, she fell down a second time and the community members who had helped her previously helped her lie down on the bricks.
Mr Mahoko said it was at this time community members noticed the woman was not breathing.
“The community members put clothes from her bag over her body,” said Mr Mahoko.
Mr Jean Uwayeza, who was on his tea break with fellow Edenvale City Improvement District staff at the time, said he heard about the incident from community members and he called for help.
“We were in the parking lot near the taxi rank when we heard community members talking about the woman,” said Mr Uwayeza.
He said the group quickly saw the woman’s body and called the ECID management for help.
Ms Sipho Madonsela, who also knew the woman, said it was painful to see the elderly woman lying on the ground.
“I am shocked that this happened,” said Ms Madonsela
Ms Madonsela said whenever she saw the elderly woman in the shop they would greet each other and have a conversation together.
Mr Mahoko said as far as he knew, the woman was waiting to collect money from her previous employer.
He said the woman worked in Edenvale last year but went home over December.
“She was told to come and collect her money from her previous employer in February,” said Mr Mahoko.
Captain Jean Olckers, the spokesperson for the Edenvale SAPS, confirmed that the woman who died was 68 years old.
“An inquest docket has been opened and the matter will be investigated further,” said Capt Olckers.
He said no foul play had been suspected in the woman’s death.
