A taxi driver was remanded in custody by the Alexandra Magistrates’ Court pending further investigation for allegedly raping a 19-year-old female friend in his room in Alex after a night out drinking.
The victim informed the court that after drinking together at a tavern, she had asked to go with the accused to his home as it was still very early and so that she could proceed safely to her place at about 8am the next morning. She said that while in the room, she asked to use the toilet.
On her return, the accused allegedly asked to have sex with her. When she didn’t respond, she claimed he pulled her towards him and she screamed. The accused allegedly pulled out a knife and pointed it at her and, with one hand undressed her. Thereafter she said he put on a condom which burst while he allegedly raped her in various positions.
Afterwards, the victim asked to leave which the accused allowed.
In mitigation, the accused said the sex was consensual. He claimed that after drinking in the evening, they parted ways but at about 9am, she allegedly called him and asked to come to his place.
The accused allegedly picked her up and they went to his place where they continued drinking. He alleged that she didn’t decline when he asked and they had sex after which they continued drinking. He claimed that when he informed her that he had to go back to work, she demanded R200 which he told her he didn’t have. This allegedly led her to threaten to report him to the police for raping her.
The accused then informed his mother and sister about the threats. The two were said to have accused her of framing the man and they called the police who, after taking statements, arrested the accused. It was said that there were no witnesses to the screams the victim claimed to have made.
