A LEPHELE TAXI driver has been arrested for allegedly raping his passenger.
The 32-year-old man stopped to pick up a 19-year-old woman in Rathanda, near Heidelberg, in Ekurhuleni. The woman had been with friends when she stopped the white Toyota Corolla which was hooting and operating as a taxi.
According to police, there were two passengers in the car at the time. The woman told cops that she told the driver where she was going and the driver agreed to take her so she then jumped in.
Captain Thivhulawi Tshilate, Ekurhuleni East cluster spokesman, said a few streets after the young woman was picked up, the suspect dropped off the other two passengers and proceeded with the victim.
“On the way the suspect changed the route and headed to Mtshali Street without consulting her. He accelerated and told the victim to keep quiet.”
He said the taxi driver allegedly stopped at a house where he rents a room and forced the woman inside before locking the door.
“He forcefully undressed the woman and had sex with her several times without her consent.”
Tshilate said the suspect fell asleep after the alleged rape.
The woman escaped and ran to the cop shop to report the matter.
The woman and the police went back and found the suspect still asleep and arrested him.
“A case of rape has been opened at Ratanda Police Station . The suspect will appear before the Heidelberg Magistrates Court soon.”
