WATCH: 'I chose to sit in the cage'
|Published
This photo seen sitting in a cage on the back of a bakkie, sparked outrage on social media. This photo seen sitting in a cage on the back of a bakkie, sparked outrage on social media.
The Cradock woman, who caused quite a stir on social media after being photographed sitting in a cage at the back of a bakkie, said she chose to climb in there because it was "too hot" to sit in the vehicle.
In a video shared on Facebook by Andre Snyman, co-admin to the Facebook group Eblockwatch, posted a video of the caged woman telling her side of the story.
Andre's post also mentions that Eblockwatch is "all about helping those who are not in a position to help themselves".
It also states that the group has "locked up abusive police officer ,rapists robbers and con artists. We also protect women from abusive partners and we love catching con artists and social bullies" (sic).
And adds that the Eblockwatch "love what we do and will always stand up for the underdog."
In the Facebook video, Linda Senekal, 27, who is pregnant, said she was offered a lift into town to the local clinic by the driver who had delivered sheep at their farm.
"He gave me a 'hike'", she said.
Linda said she climbed into the cage on the back of the bakkie because the remaining space inside the vehicle was too narrow to sit in.
She denied that she was forced into that situation, saying it was "too hot to sit in the front".
Linda's version corresponds with the bakkie's owner Johan Erasmus' wife Leta's narrative.
She said that there was more to the picture than met the eye and explained that her husband was merely being a good Samaritan by giving a woman a lift earlier this week.
“There were roadworks and he saw a lady standing and she begged him for a lift as it was very hot, he told her to sit in front but she was too scared and preferred to jump in at the back,” said Leta.
Police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Louis Stone, confirmed that police had visited the Erasmus residence yesterday.
“At this stage a case has not been opened, I can confirm that police went there but at this stage it is a civil matter,” said Stone.
Spokesperson for the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), Gushwell Brooks, said that the matter had been referred to their legal services for investigation.