SEVEN people were arrested for reporting false criminal cases at the Greenwood Park police station this month. Thorough investigations by detectives revealed false claims had been made across three separate incidents.
In one case, a homeowner was arrested after opening a false house break-in case. Spokesperson for the Greenwood Park SAPS, Captain Jerome Slater, said detectives discovered that the property reported stolen was removed by the complainant and kept in another premises owned by a relative.
“The complainant was charged accordingly for defeating the ends of justice,” said Slater.
A false case of business robbery was opened after an incident in Springfield Park on 25 July. It complainant claimed that laptops, cellphones and cash were stolen.
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“Detectives made a breakthrough, when interviewing the suspects. It was revealed that an employee at the business premises was involved in the incident. After sufficient evidence was gathered and brought before the court, an arrest and detention was made and the employee brought before court. All suspects are in custody awaiting trial,” siad Slater.
In another incident, a complainant claimed he was held up at gunpoint as suspects stole food from his vehicle in Springfield Park on 24 July. Detectives discovered that two employees removed the goods from their vehicle and loaded the items into another vehicle. They were arrested and charged for defeating the ends of justice, said Slater.
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“It is a serious offense to report false cases and any person doing so will face the arm of the law. Reporting of such cases also puts a strain on the police investigation and therefore resources are also being wasted. The police appeal to persons to refrain from reporting such cases and to report any person doing so,” he added.
Slater said detectives will be reviewing cases closely to ensure false claimants are brought to task.
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