A 46-year-old woman in the Free State survived more than 12 hours in an overflowing river after a taxi driver allegedly tried to r@pe her and pushed her into the water when she resisted. According to police, the woman managed to cling to a tree branch throughout the night until a passer-by heard her cries for help on Monday morning. Free State police spokesperson WO Mmako Mophiring said the woman boarded a taxi from Mabolela Village to Phuthaditjhaba, but the driver diverted the vehicle toward Mphatlalatsane Village instead of taking the intended route. As they approached a bridge, the driver allegedly told her he wanted to have s3x with her. When she refused, he stopped the vehicle, moved to the passenger side and ordered her to undress. After she refused again, he attempted to force himself on her. Mophiring said the woman offered him the money she had with her in an effort to escape, which he took. He then allegedly pushed her into the swollen river. She managed to grab hold of a tree and clung to it through the night despite the strong current. A passer-by eventually heard her screaming the next morning and raised the alarm. Police officers from Phuthaditjhaba, together with Maluti-a-Phofung Fire and Rescue officials, rescued the woman and transported her to a local hospital for medical treatment. Authorities have launched a search for the suspect, who fled the scene. Police urged anyone with information that could assist in tracing and arresting the driver to contact the Phuthaditjhaba Family, Child Protection and S3xual Offences Unit commander, Lt-Col Jwalane Rasunyane, on 079-890-0383, or call Crime Stop on 08600-10111.
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