Kidnapping survivor’s tale: Bukelwa to get her smile back

Abductor fails in rape attempt

Bukelwa Moerane has lost one of the most beautiful things in her life – her smile.

This came after the 24-yearold jumped out of a moving car on a dark road in Soweto a few weeks ago and lost some of her teeth after she had been attacked during a kidnapping.

An unknown man forced her into a car along the busy Chris Hani Road while she was walking to catch a taxi home.

“I was from Maponya Mall and had just gotten off a taxi and was crossing the road to catch another one. The man just came from nowhere and forced me into his car. He threatened to kill me.

“Inside the car, he called me a b **** and said he was going to rape and kill me. I feared for my life,” Moerane said.

The car passed Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital towards Diepkloof.

“The road was dark. I couldn’t see where I was. The man let go of my hand to make a call. He was speaking a foreign language so I couldn’t understand what he was saying.

“I then realised that the door was not locked. I then attempted to open it but it jammed. He then started hitting me as I tried to force the door open.”

She pushed the door open and jumped out of the moving vehicle. Moerane said that at the time she just wanted to get out of the car and to a place of safety. “I ran back towards the Chris Hani Road. I then saw the car make a U-turn. I lay on the ground and covered myself with grass. He drove past and made another U-turn.

“At that point, I was sure he had seen me, I got up and ran as fast as I could and reached the garage where I got help.”

Moerane suffered bruises to her face and body and several broken front teeth.

“Of all the things I loved about my life and body, I loved my beautiful smile. It brought comfort and happiness to many people in my life.

“Now, I cannot smile like I used to. My life has changed but I am grateful to be alive.”

Dentist Alexander Faizi Rawhani, known as “Dr Smile” or “Lexleo”, responded to her plight and gave her implants. “He told me that my gums were injured and I would need to heal before I can get permanent implants. I am grateful and glad that I shared my story.”

Soweto East police spokesman Captain Philemon Khorombi said a kidnapping case was being investigated.