A gang of men have reportedly been driving around in a white Quantum minibus taxi picking up unsuspecting women in and around Soweto, then robbing and raping them, leading to Gauteng Safety MEC, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane, on Thursday saying he would call for a meeting with leaders of the taxi industry.
“Together with senior officials from the South African Police Service will this afternoon meet with the leadership from taxi industry to discuss recent rape incidents reported within the industry,” Nkosi–Malobane said.
“A number of rape and abuse of women incidents allegedly by taxi operators have been reported in recent times and the meeting will discuss ways on how to address them.”
There have been unconfirmed reports of a spate of rapes, including one that the gang had raped nine women in one day.
On Sunday, a woman unwittingly flagged down the Quantum minibus thinking it was a taxi. She was with her 10-year-old son. For the next four hours the woman said she was raped in the back seat of the taxi while her son was forced to watch.
On Thursday, police said they were aware of the reports and that they needed people to come forward with evidence that could help them trace the culprits. Callers to Talk Radio 702 said the Quantum rape gang was from the notorious Dube Hostels in Soweto.
Dorljota Taxi Association spokesperson Zeblon Simelane on Thursday told the African News Agency (ANA) his organisation would meet with other taxi associations to discuss ways they can assist the police to arrest the gang that is reportedly terrorising women.
“We are going to look for this taxi, because as I’m told it doesn’t have a sticker like other taxis that operate on our routes,” said Simelane.
“So it might happen that it’s not part of the taxis that are working. When we find them. we are not going to be soft, we are going to be very harsh.”
– African News Agency (ANA)
