Pregnant woman attacked for jumping taxi queue

This pregnant woman needs your help in tracing another woman who allegedly assaulted her at a taxi rank.

Shafieka Carelse, 21, who is nine months pregnant, says she was shocked when the woman “attacked” her after other commuters allowed her to jump the queue.

She says the incident occurred last Wednesday at the Cape Town taxi rank on the station deck.

“I was standing in line on my way home to Leiden, Delft, from work," she says.

"The line was long and I asked the people standing in front if I could go ahead as I cannot stand long on my feet anymore and they said it is fine.

“It was when I wanted to get in at the front of the taxi that this woman just came out of nowhere and attacked me."

PHOTOGRAPHED: The alleged attacker.  CREDIT: Supplied

The shoe shop assistant says she feared for the life of her unborn child.

“She slapped and punched me in the face with her fists and even started pushing against my belly,” says Shafieka.

“No one helped me, everyone just stood there saying: 'Hayibo!' When I took a picture of her she threw water in my face.”

The first-time mom says she managed to push the woman away from her.

“How can I fight with this tummy? What about my child?" she says.

“I told her to stop as I was pregnant and she told me why must she care if I’m pregnant.”

Shafieka says she was left with a swollen face, and got stomach cramps that night.

“I went for a check-up the next day because I started getting cramps.

“I was very worried as I am a bit over my due date, but doctors said my baby is OK.

“I went to police and they told me I cannot lay a charge because I don’t have a name, address or any contact details of the woman."

But police spokesperson, Sergeant Noloyiso Rwexana, says this is wrong, and urged Shafieka to lay a charge so an investigation can be launched.

“Please inform the complainant to go open a criminal case at her nearest police station,” Rwexana advised.

The Daily Voic e visited the Cape Town taxi rank and although there are no rank managers, drivers said preference is given to vulnerable commuters.

“We allow pregnant ladies, old people and people with young children to come to the front of the line because we know how difficult it is for them to travel with public transport,” one driver said.