Police in Blantyre are keeping in custody a taxi driver, Joseph Ntonya, for allegedly raping a customer.

Ntonya, 36, who comes from Mpagaja Village in the area of Traditional Authority Somba in Blantyre, is being accused of committing the offence on the night of October 16, 2021.

It is alleged that on the said date, the woman who was coming from Blue Elephant drinking joint, hired a taxi registration number CK 7495 Sienta which was being driven by the suspect to take her to her place of residence in Chitawira Township.

“When they reached Winners Chapel Church, the driver took advantage of the victim’s drunkenness to stop by the roadside and transferred the victim from the front seat, lying her on the back seat and removed her under wears,” said Blantyre Police Station spokesperson Sub Inspector Peter Mchiza.

“He then raped her without both her knowledge and consent. The victim only realised that she had been raped after the suspect had finished the act,” he added.

The matter was reported to Blantyre Police Station and the victim was referred to the hospital for a medical examination which proved that indeed she had been raped.

The suspect was then arrested and is yet to appear before the court to answer the charge of rape.

“Police is reminding members of the general public especially women who hire taxis at night to try their best to be in a company of others than to be alone to avoid such incidents,” said Mchiza.