Police will not tolerate ‘sham’ criminal cases

The recent arrest of a 40-year-old man in Mavimbela Section, Katlehong, on a charge of perjury, has led to the police issuing a warning to members of the public to refrain from reporting false criminal cases.

This is after the suspect allegedly falsely reported having been robbed of his licensed firearm, a cell phone and cash at around 10 pm on January 19. The suspect told the police he was walking along the street in Mavimbela Section when he was approached by two unknown armed men who robbed him of his belongings including a wallet and a 9mm pistol, at gunpoint.

Then on January 22, detectives visited the man at his home to further probe the case. But follow-up questions by the detectives revealed numerous discrepancies in the victim’s initial statement. This prompted the investigating officers to request to search the man’s room and it was then that a firearm was found hidden under the mattress and a wallet was also found in the room.

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Katlehong SAPS media officer Capt Menga Ndobe said the man was immediately arrested and charged with making a false statement under oath about a false robbery he knew never took place. The suspect was due to make an appearance on January 28 at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court for a formal remand while the police investigation continues.

Emphasising the seriousness of perjury, new acting head of the SAPS in Katlehong station commander Col Doctor Sibuyi warned the public that to register a false criminal case is a criminal offence.