Cape Town - Police have warned people against making false reports after a woman was arrested by Goodwood SAPS and charged with perjury.
Police spokesperson, FC van Wyk, said officers arrested the 25-year-old after they became suspicious of her story about being robbed at gunpoint.
“According to the complainant’s report at Goodwood SAPS, she was at a shopping mall in Voortrekker Road, Goodwood, on Friday September 27, when she was approached by an unknown male.
“He allegedly pointed at her with a firearm and deceived her out of R24 000 cash and her work laptop valued at R25000.”
Van Wyk said several days later, detectives interviewed the woman and tried to follow-up leads.
‘’On September 30 an interview was conducted with the complainant by the Goodwood detectives. During the interview they followed-up on leads and clues and got suspicious of the complainant’s account of the facts.
“As the interview progressed the complainant came up with the truth and admitted that she gave a false statement regarding the events.”
Police took a second statement from the woman, where she explained the correct details and was subsequently arrested for perjury and defeating the course of justice
She was arrested and appeared in the Goodwood Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
“Western Cape police management warns those who commit crime and try to conceal their actions by opening false criminal cases. A false report puts a lot of strain on police resources, which could have been directed to real incidents of crime and to victims who need police assistance. The public is warned to refrain from reporting false cases as a criminal offence,” Van Wyk said.
Justin Kumlehn of the Western Cape Provincial Community Police (CPF) Board, said the incident highlighted the legal consequences and the unnecessary strain placed on police resources. “We urge the public to act responsibly and avoid filing false reports. Perpetrators will face the full force of the law, and as this case demonstrates, anyone caught lying to the police can expect to be arrested, charged, and brought to court,” he said.
Cape Argus