A 34-year-old taxi driver was arrested at around 3pm on Thursday, November 24 for allegedly raping an 11-year -old schoolgirl in an open veld in Birchleigh North.
According to Norkem Park SAPS spokesman, Capt Lesibana Molokomme, when she wanted to get out of the taxi, the driver told her he would drop her off at her house as he stayed near where she lived.
“On the day, Sgt Matsena and Const Maphuta from the railway police were on duty, driving along the new Tembisa Road when they spotted a suspicious Toyota Venture driving out of the open veld between Birchleigh North ext 3 and the School of Rail. The two officers pulled the driver over,” explained Molokomme.
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“They found an 11-year-old school girl in the vehicle, dressed in full uniform, crying. This was when they became suspicious.”
The suspect and the minor were taken to Norkem Park Police Station for further questioning.
“On arrival at the station, the victim explained to the female officer that the suspect had taken her from Phomolong Section in Tembisa. The girl alleged that when she got on to the taxi she was alone with the driver. On the way other passengers got on and off at their respective destinations. She was then left alone with the suspect again.”
The driver said he would take her home and refused to allow her to get out of the taxi.
Molokomme said the suspect first bought the child a kota (township bunny chow) at a nearby shop. The girl refused to eat. The suspect then drove to an open veld in Mayibuye Section in Tembisa, saying he needed to urinate, but then did not do anything.
He then continued driving with the victim to an open veld next to the New Tembisa Road where he allegedly raped the little girl.
“After the incident the suspect gave the victim R180 saying she must not tell anyone what had happened. The money was found in possession of the victim and was booked into the SAPS store.”
The suspect faces a charge of statutory rape.
