Two supposed rape victims have been arrested and released on R1000 and free bail respectively in Ermelo for perjury.
Perjury is lying under oath when a person makes a false statement after being sworn in to tell the truth in a court of law.
The duo was charged with perjury after being cross-questioned by the Ermelo Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit.
In the first matter, Simphiwe Trudy Khumalo (18) from Wesselton reported a rape case on12 December last year, four days after the alleged incident. She claimed a friend of her boyfriend found her in her boyfriend’s room and forced himself on her while her boyfriend was at work.
Mbali Nokubona Msibi (19) from Thusiville also reported a rape case to the police on 28 December last year. She claimed three males forced her into their car and drove to a certain farm near Ermelo where they took turns raping her without protection.
According to her, the suspects left her at the crime scene from where she had to walk barefooted the whole night to get home.
After vigorous interviewing by the police with Simphiwe to establish the late reporting of the incident, she confessed that she had lied to get revenge, because she heard rumours that her boyfriend’s friend was telling stories about them sleeping together. She did, however, confirm that the suspect made sexual advances, which she dismissed and the suspect left.
She was released on free bail.
Mbali Msibi also cracked under intense interviewing by the police and said she had lied so she could get the Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) given to rape victims after possible exposure to HIV through rape or unprotected sex.
She was released on R1000 bail and her case was postponed to 23 January.
FCS unit commander Mr J.J. Mahlangu said they receive at least 20 rape cases per month that need specialised attention.
“Perjury cases delay legitimate cases and a lot of resources get wasted such as time and money. We encourage rape victims to report cases as soon as possible, as it makes it easier to collect forensic evidence that strengthens such cases,” said Mr Mahlangu.
He added that, regardless of the victims’ social status, they would receive the attention and care they deserve.
