Witbank Police have charged a 22-year-old woman with perjury after she falsely opened a case of rape, giving a false statement under oath.
Police made the arrest on May 19 at Witbank Regional Court when the woman gave a false statement at court to the police.
It was discovered that she lied when she gave a statement in which she accused her former boyfriend. She attempted to withdraw the accusation in court, and was placed under arrest.
In the case she opened, she stated that she went to visit her boyfriend’s grandmother to babysit the children while the grand mother attended a funeral.
“The definition of perjury is as follows: any intentionally false statement made under oath or affirmation is perjury a criminal offence that may result in a prison sentence. Sentencing will depend on the justice system, but the community must take note that jail sentence is a definite option,” said Capt Hall.
A dispute broke out between her and the former boyfriend and according to her statement to police, the boyfriend assaulted her and raped her. This however was later discovered to be a false accusation.
Brig S’fiso Cele, Witbank Station Commander, warned the public that Witbank Police has several measures in place to verify cases reported to police station.
“Members of the public who report false cases for insurance or personal gain will be arrested and charged with perjury,” said Brig Cele.
Capt Eddie Hall said that there have been a number of robbery cases in which people’s phones are reported stolen. He said that the police fully investigate whether these claims are true or not.
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