A screenshot of a viral video showing women attacking a taxi driver in Cape Town.
Image: Screenshot
In a disturbing viral video, a taxi driver was beaten up by multiple women in Cape Town, Western Cape.
Without any context given, the taxi appears to be on the roadside with bags strewn about and doors open. At least three women brandishing sticks are seen attacking the man who appears to fight back as he is attacked from all sides.
No one attempts to stop the attack. "You have been disrespecting us for too long," the woman who recorded the video is heard saying behind the camera.
Instead of horror, the graphic clip has been met with laughter and mocking of the taxi driver on social media, especially X.
"You strike a woman; you strike a rock. You deserve it," one comment reads.
IOL has approached the South African Police Service (SAPS) for comment on the story and will be updated.
Gender-based violence (GBV) is no joking matter whether it is a man, woman, child or non-binary person. Men face the stigma of being perceived as weak when speaking about their experiences of GBV.
During the 16 Days of Activism against GBV in December of 2024, Captain Johan van Dyk, the spokesperson for the SAPS in Tshwane that the stigma men face in society about being victims of GBV is so severe that statistics of this are hard to come by.
"Women can be abusers too, including physical, verbal, emotional or financial abuse. Neither the Constitution, Harassment Act nor the Domestic Violence Act refers to the sex of the abuser," said Van Dyk.
He went on to say that although he does not diminish the gravity of gender-based violence and femicide against women and children in South Africa, he does emphasise the need to promote awareness that males can also be victims.
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