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BEHIND THE WHEEL: Former taxi driver Louis Mabokela, of Bolobedu near Modjadji in Limpopo, is being accused of defacing the painting of President Jacob Zuma at the Goodman Gallery in Johannesburg, right. PHOTO: ELIJAR MUSHIANA

 Fighting for president's rights cost him his job 

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Now Louis Mabokela is jobless after he was fired for being absent from work for four consecutive days.

Mabokela, 25, worked as a taxi driver in Bolobedu, Limpopo, until he was fired shortly after hogging international headlines while defacing the painting of the president on May 22.

His employer, Mphapi Machipi, said that Mabokela had lied to him by saying he was ill and wanted to consult a doctor.

The taxi owner said he later in the day received a phone call from a friend who told him to watch television news to see Mabokela "in action".

"I was surprised to see Mabokela defacing the painting of President Zuma in Johannesburg while he had told me he was around and not well," Machipi said yesterday.

He said Mabokela was away for four days, with his taxi parked without generating any income. That was when he decided to fire him.

"I told Mabokela upon his return that I had hired another driver. I feel sad because I know he was fighting for the rights of our president but I could not leave my business to suffer," he said.

Machipi acknowledged that Mabokela was a hero and a "hard-worker" but said there was nothing he could do.

The unemployed Mabokela said yesterday he was not worried that he had lost his job "for fighting for a good cause".

He knew it was a no work, no pay arrangement but never expected to be fired from his job.

"I drove all the way from Bolobedu to Johannesburg in order to restore the dignity of the president of the country because I believed people were trampling on his rights," he said.

"Even if it was any other person in the leadership I would have reacted the same way in order to ensure that that person's dignity is restored."

Mabokela is expected to appear in the Hillbrow Magistrate's Court on Thursday on a charge of malicious damage to property. He is currently out on R1000 bail.

While his wife and child will suffer as a result of his joblessness, Mabokela said he believed God would always provide for him.

This article was first published in the printed newspaper 27 June 2012

Comments

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Fri May 24 02:29:23 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 28, 2012

Pointman

Ja - god will provide- just like he is providing for the kids in Somalia?
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Jun 28, 2012

guiliano

it is obvious you were tired of your old job, well don't worry the anc will set you up with a nice job.
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Jun 28, 2012

Real-Mogwanthi

Good things are coming your way my man...just be patient!

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Jun 28, 2012

MGEEZ

Lesson; do not lie to your employer to appease politicians!!!!
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Jun 28, 2012

Dolls

siiiiiiiis mabokela, you now going hungry while zuma enjoys life nad dont know what to do in this country.
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Jun 28, 2012

Baba_T

Boo Hoo hooo

Since when is Taxi Driver being tired a headline?

AS we all now how that industry works: get fired in the morning and by the afternoon you got another Siyaya or Inyathi to Drive.

Get over yourself. you got your minute of fame.

Sowetan you really are desperate for Crap news lately.

Ps: What time does your Web Team starts working 07:00am?

But again this is Sowetan we talking about.
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Jun 28, 2012

Nys1

You’ve passed phase 1(Kissing @ss) with flying colours ....Wait for it - You’ll make a good “Go for boy” ya ANC.

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Jun 28, 2012

iVolontiya

You Sir, deserve one of those SA Heroes Ads... you did well, but should've taken anual/unpaid leave not sick leave...of coz, you moving on up soon!!!! I'm thinking presidential driver since you've got that skill/experience already...
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Jun 28, 2012

PleaseGetReal1

Now all you need to do is sit in jail for your criminal act and you will get a top position in the anc, you are busy passing with flying colors to become a comrade.
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Jun 28, 2012

probabe

you brought it to yourself, you have a syndrome called ASB_Attention Seeking Behaviour, *yawning* moving right along.
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