Let me start by applauding Sowetan for the wonderful work it did in exposing the horrible abuse of a young woman at the Noord Street taxi rank.

Let me start by applauding Sowetan for the wonderful work it did in exposing the horrible abuse of a young woman at the Noord Street taxi rank.

Your editorial disagreeing with the Gauteng legislature committee's desire to close the rank is unfortunate.

Your argument that closing the rank would hurt the people it is intended to help reminds me of the apartheid apologists who were vehemently opposed to sanctions against apartheid South Africa.

Yes, it is true that people would be inconvenienced but I am of the view that we should be futuristic in handling this matter.

The miniskirt incident itself is emotional, I therefore fail to see how we cannot respond in the same vein.

Closing this rank would send a clear, stern, and unambiguous message to both taxi owners and drivers.

The message would be that they are not above the law, neither are they untouchable.

This action would also be saying "so far and no further" with women abuse.

I hope that the committee would go ahead and implement this action even if it's just for a day - it would be symbolic to women in this country.

Mbuyiselo Botha

General secretary, South African Men's Forum, Johannesburg