Getrude Makhafola

Getrude Makhafola

Taxi drivers assaulted Precious Tshishonga and then told her that the police would do nothing about it - they even offered to direct her to the nearest police station.

Yesterday, the Hillbrow magistrate's court heard how 25-year-old Tshishonga was assaulted by Mluzi Madide of Katlehong and Mfoliki Nkomo, a Zimbabwean national, after she asked why her change from a R100 note was in coins.

She was in a taxi from Noord taxi rank to Hillbrow.

Tshishonga yesterday relived the February 29 assault in court.

"All I wanted to know was why my change was in coins and not in notes.

"They responded by assaulting me and saying I talk too much like the women who think they have rights these days," Tshishonga said.

Mulalo Sithagu, who rescued Tshishonga, said she and Fikile Machimane, the second witness, intervened and helped her to a police station to lay a charge.

"When we got to the robot, I saw a man sitting next to the taxi driver get out, open the taxi door and start assaulting a female in the taxi," said Sithagu.