A 46-YEAR-OLD woman from Phuthaditjhaba miraculously survived an alleged attempt on her life, clinging desperately to a tree branch in an overflowing river for more than 12 hours after a taxi driver reportedly tried to sexually assault and drown her.
Police said the ordeal began on Sunday evening when the woman boarded a taxi from Mabolela Village to Phuthaditjhaba.
Instead of heading to her destination, the driver allegedly diverted the vehicle toward Mphatlalatsane Village.
The suspect reportedly demanded that she have sex with him.
When she refused, he allegedly stopped the taxi, approached her and instructed her to undress.
She refused again, offering him the money she had instead, which he took before pushing her into the river.
Despite the raging current, she managed to hold onto a tree branch through the night.
Her cries for help were eventually heard by a passer-by the following morning, prompting a rescue operation by the Phuthaditjhaba police and Maluti-a-Phofung Fire and Rescue officers.
She was taken to a local hospital for medical treatment.
Police are hunting for the suspect, who is expected to be charged with attempted rape, attempted murder and robbery.