Man arrested for lying about uMhlanga robbery
Police claim the man fabricated the story because he allegedly owed people money.
A MAN has been arrested for lying to the police about an armed robbery that allegedly took place in the parking lot of the Square Boutique Hotel & Spa last week.
The man, whose name is known to the Northglen News, was charged with defeating the ends of justice and is due to appear in court on Thursday.
Durban North police spokesman, Lt Raymond Deokaran, said investigations revealed the man had allegedly fabricated the story because he owed people money.
“The man alleged he was having lunch in the parking lot of the hotel last week when he was approached by two armed men. They demanded his phone and fled on foot. However after reviewing CCTV footage from the parking lot as well as interviewing the security guard on duty, it was revealed the man had lied. The security guard said he saw the men approach the accused but there were no guns produced, nor was anyone robbed.
“When he was arrested on Tuesday morning, he revealed he owed the men money. He tried to offer his phone in lieu of his outstanding debt, the men refused. This is a warning to anybody trying to con the police and their insurance companies. We will find out and you will be charged,” he said.
Deokaran said there had been a number of cases in the past where people opened false cases.
In 2014, a Verulam resident was arrested after pretending to be a lawyer for two men accused of stealing a luxury boat.
