GAUTENG Premier Nomvula Mokonyane yesterday condemned "the animal-like behaviour" of a crowd of men who groped two teenagers because one of them wore a miniskirt.
Mokonyane even threatened to take over the Noord Street taxi rank - where the attack took place - if those responsible for running the facility failed to ensure the safety of women.
The now highly publicised incident took place last week.
CCTV footage seen by Sowetan on Monday showed a large contingent of between 50 to 60 men chasing after the young women.
A number of the men could be seen either taking cellphone pictures of the women's bottoms or groping them.
Despite one victim's attempt to fight back the men continued their abusive behaviour.
An incensed Mokonyane yesterday chastised the men involved in the public humiliation of the two young women.
"This incident not only tells us that women are still facing serious challenges of discrimination and gender-based violence, but also demonstrates that this taxi rank is becoming notorious for behaviour that goes against the moral fibre of the society we are trying to build," Mokonyane said.
Trade union Numsa also condemned the attack.
"We are firmly of the view that taxi ranks are public places and they should not be used to humiliate or demean our people," spokesman Castro Ngobese said.
In the 17-minute footage the young women are seen emerging from a store at the taxi rank, only to be chased, shouted at and humiliated.
A number of men took out their cellphones to take pictures of the woman dressed in a black mini-skirt and animal print top.
The other girl - who was wearing black leggings and a black top - was also humiliated before both of them were escorted away by metro police officers.
Nwabisa Ngcukana - who was also attacked almost four years ago at the same taxi rank - expressed optimism that those involved in last week's attack would be apprehended.
"The authorities have no excuses this time around. The entire incident was caught on video and I would expect some people to be arrested," Ngcukana said.
But Ngcukana's optimism soon turned into disillusionment.
"To be honest with you, I am very tired of telling women to report abuse knowing that they will not do so. But I do urge those girls to report the matter to the police so that the perpetrators can be brought to book," she said.
Johannesburg central police spokesman Xoli Mbele yesterday told Sowetan that neither of the women had reported the incident to the police.
Premier fumes over 'animal act'
GAUTENG Premier Nomvula Mokonyane yesterday condemned "the animal-like behaviour" of a crowd of men who groped two teenagers because one of them wore a miniskirt.
Mokonyane even threatened to take over the Noord Street taxi rank - where the attack took place - if those responsible for running the facility failed to ensure the safety of women.
The now highly publicised incident took place last week.
CCTV footage seen by Sowetan on Monday showed a large contingent of between 50 to 60 men chasing after the young women.
A number of the men could be seen either taking cellphone pictures of the women's bottoms or groping them.
Despite one victim's attempt to fight back the men continued their abusive behaviour.
An incensed Mokonyane yesterday chastised the men involved in the public humiliation of the two young women.
"This incident not only tells us that women are still facing serious challenges of discrimination and gender-based violence, but also demonstrates that this taxi rank is becoming notorious for behaviour that goes against the moral fibre of the society we are trying to build," Mokonyane said.
Trade union Numsa also condemned the attack.
"We are firmly of the view that taxi ranks are public places and they should not be used to humiliate or demean our people," spokesman Castro Ngobese said.
In the 17-minute footage the young women are seen emerging from a store at the taxi rank, only to be chased, shouted at and humiliated.
A number of men took out their cellphones to take pictures of the woman dressed in a black mini-skirt and animal print top.
The other girl - who was wearing black leggings and a black top - was also humiliated before both of them were escorted away by metro police officers.
Nwabisa Ngcukana - who was also attacked almost four years ago at the same taxi rank - expressed optimism that those involved in last week's attack would be apprehended.
"The authorities have no excuses this time around. The entire incident was caught on video and I would expect some people to be arrested," Ngcukana said.
But Ngcukana's optimism soon turned into disillusionment.
"To be honest with you, I am very tired of telling women to report abuse knowing that they will not do so. But I do urge those girls to report the matter to the police so that the perpetrators can be brought to book," she said.
Johannesburg central police spokesman Xoli Mbele yesterday told Sowetan that neither of the women had reported the incident to the police.
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