A woman who is being charged with lying to the police about being robbed at gunpoint was released on bail after a brief appearance in the Randburg Magistrates Court.
The case was postponed until 30 June when she will appear in the same court again.
The court appearance stems from an incident that was reported at the Randburg Police Station.
At the time, a woman allegedly told the police that an unknown man stole her laptop and her handbag with driver’s licence and identity document. She also alleged that the incident occurred at the Ferndale Village Shopping Centre.
She complained that the laptop was not hers but belonged to the company she works for. The police then launched an investigation in the hope of bringing the culprit to book.
The detectives only discovered that the robbery did not occur when they viewed the CCTV footage at the shopping centre.
When she went to the police station again to check the progress of her case, police asked her about the incident. She admitted that it did not happen and that she lied.
“On her statement she wrote that they even stole her driver’s licence while she had it with her,” said Detective Sergeant Genas Moodley.
Moodley said she wasted tax payers’ money and state resources. “Armed robbery is a serious crime. Why would anyone lie about that,” he asked.
Police spokesperson Constable Stanley Bopape said all cases in the station were treated equally and those who lie to the police will be arrested and face the law.
Details: Randburg police, 011 449 9000.
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