By Sbongile Nonyana
Lebohang Mokhonwana, 26, from Makapanstad in Hammanskraal, was raped by a taxi driver two years ago during Women’s Month and fears for her life because the driver has not yet been jailed.
The court case has been delayed many times.
Lebohang vividly remembers the night of 8 August 2022, when she took a taxi from Jubilee Mall in Hammanskraal to her home. After the other passengers got off, she was left alone with the driver.
“The driver stopped the taxi and got out,” Lebohang said.
“I asked if he was getting me another taxi because I was late and had left my baby at home.”
Instead of answering, the driver jerked open the passenger door, covered her mouth with a cloth, and hit her on the head with a bottle.
“I started screaming, but no one could hear me. I passed out, and when I woke up, I was bleeding, naked, and all my belongings were gone,” Lebohang said.
When she managed to escape by jumping out of the taxi, the driver tried to run her over. He only drove away when other cars passed by.
A passing driver found Lebohang and took her to the hospital, where she stayed for 10 days.
She has gone to court more than 10 times, but the case keeps getting delayed because the driver’s lawyer always finds a way to postpone it.
Ward 21 councillor Daniel Motlhasedi is worried about Lebohang’s safety and has expressed his criticism about the speed with which the case—taking place at the Moretele Magistrate’s Court—is moving.
“We are afraid the driver might try to harm her again to hide what he did,” Motlhasedi said.
Freeda Mmapela, the Moretele local municipality speaker, is also frustrated.
“This attack happened just before Women’s Day, and two years later, she still hasn’t received justice. Cases like this need to be handled quickly.”
The trial has been postponed to 3 September.
Pictured above: A court gavel.
Source: Stock
