The taxi drivers allegedly poured alcohol over her head, stripped her naked, and sexually assaulted her, all because she was wearing a miniskirt, according to media reports. But yesterday, hundreds of people rallied on behalf of 25-year-old Nwabisa Ngcukana and in support of those who have received similar treatment at the Noord Street taxi rank in Johannesburg.
“I hated the taxis and comments and leers, but nothing too bad ever happened until this,” [Ngcukana] said. “I was getting off a taxi to change to another one when they started whistling, yelling and shouting . . . they started pulling at the dress and then it all began . . . There were dozens of them. I fought all the time but it quickly moved to another level.” [The Times]
The protesters marched directly to the Noord Street taxi rank where, The Times reports “the atmosphere became tense.”
“Do what you want, but do it in your own place,” some taxi drivers shouted from the roof of the taxi rank where they had gathered, looking down at dozens of boards with slogans like “There are no short cuts for women’s rights” [Independent Online].
The incident has brought increased attention to violence against women in South Africa, which has one of the highest incidences of rape in the world.
Redi Direko, a radio talk show host, led yesterday’s march. Dressed in a miniskirt, orange strap-top and high-heel sandals, she said: “While I was growing up, this sort of thing was commonplace. It is time to end all this. Drivers need to be taught how to behave” [The Times].
[...] at the Noord Street taxi rank in Johannesburg, but this woman wasn’t targeted for wearing a miniskirt, instead she was “talking too [...]
this is sick, why is it that african man can’t control their erection. you will never find this sick behaviour in the west. but them guys are not different from these sickos. it’s not our fault that we wear miniskirts, it’s fashion how would you feel if we girls attacked you coz u are wearing jeans. im from zim i can’t board a taxi to a party emalokishini, if i am wearing a miniskirt i have to carry it and change on my way. this needs to stop now, it pisses me off