Somerset West police have issued a warning to women to avoid using a white Toyota Quantum taxi operating between Firgrove and Somerset West following two violent robberies and a sexual assault.

Warrant Officer Suzan Jantjies, spokesperson for Somerset West police, confirmed that three men are using the taxi to target women.

In the first incident, on Friday 12 June at 11:30, a 52-year-old woman waiting for a minibus taxi was picked up by the suspects. Instead of taking her to the destination, they drove her to another area of Somerset West.

The men forced her to smoke drugs before robbing her of all her belongings. The woman alleges she was then sexually assaulted and managed to escape by pretending to faint.

The suspects fled the scene. A case of robbery with a weapon other than a firearm has been registered.

The second incident occurred last Wednesday (22 July) when a 30-year-old woman was offered a lift to the Somerset West taxi rank by the same suspected driver and three men.

Once inside the taxi, two men in the back threatened her with a knife. They robbed her of her money, cellphone and shoes before pushing her out of the vehicle.

A bystander came to the woman’s aid.

Both victims described the suspects as three coloured men.

. The police are urging anyone with information about this minibus taxi or the suspects to contact Somerset West police station on 021 850 1325.