Cape Town - Police have warned the public to be cautious following an assault and near-kidnapping of a woman in a metered taxi.
There are also plans on the cards to remove unregistered cabs on Loop and Long streets in an effort to ensure safety.
Sandra Kim was badly injured when she flung herself from a moving metered taxi after the driver tried to kidnap her early Sunday morning.
Police spokesman Andre Traut said an investigation had not yet led to arrests.
“People using public transport must be vigilant at all times and be on the lookout for signs of danger,” Traut warned.
Kim first told of her ordeal on Cape Talk on Monday – of how the driver of a cab she travelled in on Sunday had her by the hair, tied her hands, then punched her in the face repeatedly when she tried to free herself, before she jumped out of the moving car.
She told the Cape Times on Wednesday she suffered neck trauma from the fall, grazing on her back, elbows and ankle.
She said the ordeal lasted about five to 10 minutes. It began when Kim and her friend got on to a “cockroach cab” after leaving at about 1.30am on Sunday. She said the cab had driven to Fresnaye, where her friend was dropped off.
The cab then headed back to town, where Kim would meet another friend. She had been discussing payment with the driver while she was texting when the vehicle came to an abrupt stop somewhere in the Bo-Kaap.
The driver then grabbed Kim, who was in the back seat, and pulled her forward, with her body in between the rear and front seats. As the man was trying to drive off, Kim says she kept hitting the gear stick, causing the car to stall.
“I managed to open the door and launch myself out the car while he was still driving. I was on Cavalcade Road in Green Point.”
Kim screamed for help and some people came out to assist her. The driver made off with her bag, which had her money, credit card and a cellphone.
Kim said she met some club owners on Loop and Long streets as well as the association for metered taxis on Wednesday.
She said a resolution was taken to have bouncers remove unregistered cabs waiting to pick up patrons.
Cape Times