A Del Judor resident found herself in hot water after reporting her car as stolen on the corner of OR Tambo and Louise Street.
Whilst investigating this hijacking, the police officer who was working on the docket realised that the registration number which the woman had given him was a false registration plate number.
On Sunday, August 26, the police officer confronted the woman about the discrepancies in the statement she had given to law enforcement officials. The woman immediately admitted that she had attempted to mislead the SAPS, and was promptly arrested.
ALSO READ
Man charged with defeating the ends of justice sentenced
The woman was charged with perjury. Perjury can lead to a prison sentence of up to ten years, though usually perjurers are fined and/or given a suspended sentence.
The Criminal Procedure Act 56 of 1955 and South African common law criminalise perjury, which can be defined as making a false statement under oath or a false affirmation in the course of a judicial proceeding.
If you lie, purposefully omit the truth or knowingly provide incorrect information to a police officer in a sworn affidavit, such as is given when a case is opened at the police station, you can find yourself staring a hefty fine, or even imprisonment, in the face.
Lying in an affidavit may have serious consequences; like up to 10 years imprisonment.
Capt Eddie Hall stated,
“we take perjury very seriously. If you are caught lying to the police, regardless of whether your motive for being dishonest is insurance fraud or a ‘joke’, you will be charged with perjury. Perjury is a crime in South Africa, and if you are found guilty of it, you will receive a criminal record.”
