*WARNING: Story contains graphic images which may upset sensitive readers.
A short trip to Bellville terminus ended with a woman being robbed and pushed out of a moving taxi.
Gellie Susan Chihelele says the incident happened three weeks ago and she’s been treated in hospital for the extensive injuries she received after being flung out of the van that was moving “at about 120km/h”.
She says on Saturday, 21 August, after knocking off at work at about 3pm, she was standing in Voortrekker Road near the Sanlam building when she stopped the taxi.
The 23-year-old nanny tells the Daily Voice that she had no reason to suspect danger.
“There were four ladies in the van and I thought I was safe but I later found out that they were also in on this,” says Gellie, who’s been left with severe bruises, swelling and abrasions on her face and body.
“I’m still traumatised just thinking about the incident. I took the taxi from the Bellville Sanlam building going to the main rank.
“At some point along the way, the driver diverted from the route and I noticed that they were armed.”
She says instead of driving into the terminus, they sped past and went into an unfamiliar road.
“When I saw that he was passing the robots at the rank, I told him I needed to get off there, that’s when he pulled the gun out and told me to shut up.
“I couldn’t scream for help because they had a gun, they took my phone, a bag of my clothes and some money.
“I realised then that the four ladies at the back of the taxi were pretending to be passengers.
“They didn’t do anything to me, they were just there so people could think they were safe getting into the taxi. The gaatjie is the one who robbed me,” she says.
Gellie says the suspects then simply threw her out on Robert Sobukwe Road, without even bothering to open the sliding door.
“After robbing me, they threw me out of the taxi through the window while it was moving.
“The speed must have been about 100 to 120km/h. I couldn’t even get the number plate, all I remember is that the taxi was white.
“I must have passed out from the injuries because I woke up around 7pm in the Tygerberg Hospital trauma unit with a swollen face.
“I only thank God for my life and the good Samaritan who saw me lying in the road and decided to call an ambulance for me.”
Police spokesperson Warrant Officer Joseph Swartbooi says they are investigating a case of common robbery.