A taxi driver has been accused of kidnapping and raping a school girl in Welkom.
On 24 May an 18-year-old high schooler was waiting for a taxi near CTM and the tuck shop in Koppie Alleen Road when a light blue Toyota Tazz stopped next to her and the driver asked for her destination.
She responded that she was going to the four-way stop between Rastas and Mphatlalatsane in Thabong. The driver said she can get in the taxi, where she saw an old woman in the front passenger seat.
The driver headed in the direction of the Kingdom Academy. After passing a Shell garage, there was an SAB truck carrying alcohol which fell out on the road, attracting a crowd of people looking to pick up the goods.
Allegedly, the old lady insisted on getting out there as she also wanted to take some of the alcohol.
After she left the vehicle, the driver continued to drive with the school girl, drinking as he did so, until he stopped at an open field. He attacked the girl, overpowering her, and covered her face with a black cloth and restrained her.
He then raped her. During the act, he threatened her with knowledge that knowing where she attends school. He added that if he were to be arrested, he would be granted bail and come after her to repeat the assault.
After the incident, he removed the cloth and she was dropped off at Big Bites in Muizen Street, Welkom CBD.
Out of fear, she never told anyone until she opened up to her student teacher on Monday at school, who encouraged her to open a case.
She described the perpetrator as having an old scar on his right cheek, with medium thin dreadlocks, brown in complexion, Sesotho-speaking, wearing a yellow tracksuit top, black Chino pants, white All Star shoes, and driving a light blue Toyota Tazz.
Should anyone have information leading to the arrest of this alleged taxi driver and rapist, please contact Det. Const. Malearongwa Mokoena of the Welkom Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit on 067-703-0610 or Crime Stop number 08600-10111.
