As the fire of alleged racism continues to burn in Phoenix, a Caneside resident claims he was fortunate to escape possible death after he was ambushed inside a Toyota Quantum, which he believed was a taxi, and suffered a severe assault at the hands of three men including the driver, on Friday.
Speaking to The Phoenix Tabloid, the victim, who wished to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal, claims the beating was racially motivated as he was not searched or robbed. He immediately reported the incident at Verulam Police Station but received no feedback thereafter. “I waited for a taxi at the corner of Northern Drive and Trenance Manor. The white Quantum was the only vehicle that stopped. There were three men inside including the driver. I told them I was going to Royal Manor and they agreed to take me. I sat next to a man on the first row of seats with one man behind me. We then passed the Palmview robots and were headed towards Verulam on the R102. I voiced that we were headed in the wrong direction. The men said they were dropping off one passenger and then will drop me off. Before I knew it, the man behind me started bashing my head. I was caught completely off-guard,” said the Phoenix victim.
The complainant alleged that the passenger next to him joined the assault and both men rained blows on him. “I tried to defend myself. I shielded my face with my hands but they did not stop. Both men just hit and punched. The vehicle appeared to have stopped but was idling when the driver turned around and hit me with a black firearm. I was terrified. I did not understand what was happening. I feared for my life. I did not know if I was going to see my family or get out of the vehicle alive. My attackers ranted in their dialect which was an African language and I did not understand what they were saying. While the beating was taking place, the taxi slowed down. I saw the flashing lights of a security vehicle. As my attackers were looking towards the security vehicle, I broke free and managed to fling myself out of the taxi. The driver then took off with the door still open,” the assault victim added.
According to the complainant, he found himself in the vicinity of Riet River where the security company personnel assisted him and took him to Verulam SAPS. “I reported the matter to a police officer who said I will receive details of my case via SMS. I received nothing. I could have been killed as the men were intent on harming me. I was beaten for no apparent reason. If the security vehicle did not arrive when it did, I honestly do not know if I would be alive. The men took nothing from me. They asked for nothing. Why would they attack me for no reason? My three little children are asking me what happened. They are scared. I am petrified to leave my house or take a taxi again. I boarded the taxi innocently because I needed to run an errand. I did not expect to almost lose my life and return home disfigured. I am afraid for my life now. I keep wondering if they would have done the same to an Indian woman who boarded the taxi. I hope the justice system helps me and does not fail me in this incident,” claimed the father of three.
Community activist and religious leader, Mervyn Reddy, said he was approached by the victim for assistance following the brutal attack. “I have been assisting and counselling the victim. He has suffered a vicious ordeal. He is currently awaiting feedback from police so that investigations can get underway and hopefully the perpetrators will be brought to book. We urge members of the public to cease and desist from acting out in violence and stoking the flames of racism. Religious, government and community leaders are avidly striving to forge peace between all citizens of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal and Phoenix. We urge citizens to live in harmony with each other and do not fall victim to malicious manipulations,” said Reddy.
