Civil case instituted against Uber
Victims of the Uber rape trial say they will institute a civil action against the taxi service.
In four different instances in 2016, the accused allegedly went on a crime spree, using the app to pick up women to rob, rape, and assault.
In two separate incidents, they also allegedly tried to murder the passengers.
The accused Uber driver, Mmotlane Elias Mankgane, and his three-co accused; Daniel Maswikaneng, Sikhosana Bonga, and Themba Mkuwanazi, appeared in the Gauteng High Court on Thursday.
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Ulrich Roux, the defence lawyer for the victims, says the civil case will start in March.
"We will be instituting a civil case in order to compensate our clients for, firstly, the medical injuries that they incurred and, secondly, for the absolutely traumatic experiences that they had to endure," Roux says.
Roux believes that Uber should be held liable for not having the necessary security measures in place and internal controls to prevent this.
"Uber has not come to the party whatsoever, they haven't even apologised to our clients for the incidents which occurred," he added.
Uber says they cannot comment on the case or the impending civil suit, as it is sub judicate.