Naomi Mthembu from Stanger in KwaZulu Natal was allegedly assaulted by a taxi driver and his friend during her ride to Durban on Sunday. It is alleged that the taxi driver picked up his friend on his way to Durban from Stanger on Sunday evening. It is alleged that the taxi driver and his friend parked the taxi at nearby bushes, where the taxi driver used a knife and cigarette to assault her while then other driver was raping the other woman.

MANHANDLED

The taxi driver is alleged to  have demanded that another passenger suck him while Mthembu was assaulted by the friend.  "On Sunday I took a taxi from Stanger to Durban. It was late when I went to the taxi rank and asked about a taxi going to Durban. I was told that taxis to Durban were no longer available. I was with another lady who looked the same age as me.While we were there, a taxi driver offered to give us a ride to Durban. We got into the taxi and we left the rank for Durban. On the way the taxi driver picked up his friend. They then decided to take the taxi to nearby bushes where both of us were assaulted by the  taxi driver and his friend. The taxi driver's friend demanded that I come with him outside the taxi, where he assaulted me with a knife on my thighs and neck. He even teared my panty apart. He also used cigarette to burn me. While I was being assaulted with a knife, the other lady  was being raped in a taxi by the taxi driver. After they were done, they dumped us on the road in different locations," a highly emotional Mthembu says. "I managed to get a lift from a passing motorist who took me back home. I'm still shocked as to why I was assaulted in that manner. I want justice to prevail because today I was told the taxi was seen working. I have reported the matter to the Stanger Taxi Association and they have assured me that they will hunt down the taxi driver," she said.Mthembu further said, "I'm grateful that I'm still alive. I want justice to take it course so that they don't do this to other women."

LOOKING FOR THE TAXI DRIVERS HIGH AND LOW

Santaco KZN spokesperson Boy Zondi said they are aware about the matter and they are trying very hard to trace the taxi. "We are going to hunt down the taxi driver and send him straight to the cops. We urge the community to help us trace the other lady, who was allegedly raped by the taxi driver. We will not rest until they are arrested. We can't have people who rape women to continue working in our association," he said. Mthembu told Zimoja that she was on her way to lay criminal charges against the taxi driver and his friend.