Taxi terror: women being targeted by criminals. These tips could save you!

An alarming trend has emerged, where criminals, posing as taxi drivers, are targeting South African women. 1st for Women Insurance has shared some disturbing findings and urges women to be vigilant.

According to the women only insurer, there has recently been a surge in attacks on female public transport users – usually those travelling alone, although women travelling in pairs have also fallen victim.

“Criminals pose as legitimate taxi operators, sometimes in unmarked taxis, and sometimes make use of an accomplice – posing as a codriver or fellow passenger – to give themselves a better chance at overpowering their victims,” says Seugnette van Wyngaard, Head of 1st for Women Insurance.

“They normally ask where passengers want to go, take the fare at the start of, or during the trip and then proceed to rob the passenger, sometimes at gunpoint. Multiple robberies of this nature have taken place.”

Aside from robberies, women have also been physically attacked and raped by criminals posing as taxi operators, with some of the most recent cases being in Gqeberha and KwaDukuza.

“We can’t necessarily remove fear from the equation, but we can empower ourselves with knowledge, increased scepticism and vigilance,” van Wyngaard says.

1st for Women provides the following tips for women to stay safe:

• Try not to wait for a minibus taxi or bus alone at night.
• Travelling in pairs or small groups helps with safety in numbers. 
• Do not make use of any sort of public transport that you don’t recognise, is unmarked, and doesn’t have the usual markings you are used to seeing.
• Keep all your valuables out of sight.
• Let someone close to you know about your travel routine or schedule.
• Avoid being distracted by your phone, conversation or even falling asleep in a taxi. Always keep a good awareness of your surroundings.
• When using e-hailing services, meet them in public spaces with other people around, take a back seat to position yourself further away from the driver, don’t leave your bags in the trunk to reduce your theft risk and make sure that you are 100% alert and aware of your surroundings before getting into the car.
• Keep emergency numbers handy to alert authorities immediately if you sense something suspicious or feel that you are in danger.

“A proactive approach to safety and vigilance – both by women and those who care for them – should always be the first line of defence.”

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Feature Image: Getty