Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

Patience Mogodi, a fourth-year Bachelor of Administration student at the University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus, was assaulted in full view of members of the public by a taxi driver on Monday.

Mogodi, 24, had boarded the taxi from Mankweng Shopping Complex to Boyne.

She said she was carrying a bag with her textbooks and a plastic bag with four loaves of bread for her home in Maripathekong, GaMolepo.

She said before getting into the taxi to occupy the front seat, she put her luggage on the seat.

This apparently did not go down well with the driver, who accused her of wasting his time.

"He swore at me and when I asked for a reason for the insults he assaulted me," Mogodi Said.

"Everyone in the taxi saw what happened."

She said: "When I continued asking why he was assaulting me, he came to the passenger door and assaulted me again. He also pushed my head against the vehicle."

Mogodi said she obtained the driver's identity and reported the matter to the police.

"I also reported the matter to the local taxi association's offices."

Mankweng Taxi Association spokesman Moses Letsoalo said yesterday the complaint had not reached their offices. He promised to investigate.

Inspector Malan Nchabeleng of the Mankweng police yesterday identified the culprit as Paul Mamabolo, saying he had paid an admission of guilt fine of R500.

But Mogodi said she was not aware of this.