Gogo Florah Phungwayo fought off a thug who almost raped her. Photo by Raymond Morare
GOGO fights off thug.
Gogo Florah Phungwayo is still traumatised after she was almost raped while asleep inside her shack in February 2025.
The 64-year-old Florah from Marry Me informal settlement in Soshanguve, Tshwane said a thug broke into her shack in the middle of the night and she was woken up by the light from a torch.
She said the thug first asked her about her cellphone and grant money. She said she had R1 230 under her mattress.
“I was lucky the thug didn’t steal anything because my cellphone was inside a pillow and my money was under the mattress. I didn’t see his face properly because it was dark,” she said.
“However, after the thug realised he was not getting anything, he climbed on top of me and wanted to rape me. He wanted to choke me, but I fought with him. I screamed and blew a whistle,” she said.
Gogo Florah said she heard the voices of two people outside her shack while the other thug was inside.
ALSO READ | Man found dead in SUV!
“They all ran away when I screamed, leaving him unharmed. Marry Me has been a haven of criminals. Our shacks are not strong, and thugs easily break in to gain entry. The thugs even stole the chain I use to lock the door.
“I’m grateful to God for giving me the power to overpower the thug. When I pushed him down, the thug said to me: ‘Askies, mama’ and ran away,” she said.
Gogo Florah said she has been living at Marry Me since 2016 but doesn’t feel safe anymore. “I will continue to survive through prayer,” said Florah.
Sello Masemola, community patrol member at Marry Me, said gogo Florah told him about the incident.
“There is police visibility during the day and night ever since the community patrollers died,” he said.
Gauteng Police spokeswoman Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi advised gogo Florah to go to the nearest cop shop to get help.
For more news and entertainment in the palm of your hand, follow our WhatsApp Channel via this link
