A taxi driver from East London was sentenced to life imprisonment on Wednesday for raping a passenger who was hitch-hiking on Oxford Street.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Luxolo Tyali says 35-year-old Luthando Veli was sentenced to a further five years in prison for the attempted rape of another 23-year-old passenger.
He says on 21 November 2020 the first victim was looking for a lift to Southernwood when Veli stopped to offer a ride, he then drove past her destination, refusing to stop.
Tyali says he stopped at a secluded area and pulled her out of the vehicle before assaulting and raping her.
He says, that three months later, Veli struck again and picked up a woman who was hitchhiking from Mdantsane to East London.
The NPA says on the Black Road between Mdantsane and East London, Veli said he wanted to look for other passengers and took a turn-off to a gravel road towards Reeston.
Spokesperson Tyali says Veli stopped, locked all the doors and started assaulting the woman, who managed to get out of the Avanza through the window.
He says Veli then chased her and tripped her before taking off his pants, trying to undress his victim.
Passersby noticed the commotion and intervened and Veli then ran away, abandoning the vehicle at the scene.
Police traced the owner who indicated that he employed Luthando Veli as a driver to use his vehicle as a taxi.
The NPA says police traced Veli, who pleaded not guilty.
The court dismissed his version as fabrication and accepted the evidence led by prosecutor Vuyisa Langa, which was supported by forensic evidence.
