The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Gauteng is noticing with concern that the opening of false cases (perjury) at police stations is becoming a norm.
Nearly a 100 false cases were registered at stations within Gauteng Province between January and July 2023. The perpetrators in these respective cases were subsequently charged for perjury and they are now facing the full might of the law in Magistrates’ Courts across the province.
On 11 April 2023, a complainant opened a hijacking case at SAPS Protea Glen and indicated in his statement that he was attacked on the N12 freeway by unknown armed suspects who later dropped him off in Soweto. Further investigation revealed that the complainant’s girlfriend was in possession of the said vehicle, and the complainant then admitted to opening a false case; he was arrested on 16 April 2023 for perjury.
In another case, a female complainant reported a hijacking case to SAPS Muldersdrift on 8 February 2023 and indicated that she was hijacked at Rietvallei by three unknown armed suspects who dropped her off at Muldersdrift. Investigation later revealed that the complainant’s vehicle is still in her possession and wanted to claim from her insurance as the said vehicle is broken. She was arrested two days after reporting the false hijacking case.
Also, on 31 January 2023, a complainant opened a truck hijacking case at SAPS Muldersdrift and alleged he was hijacked on the N14 freeway after he was pulled over by two traffic officials. The complainant was allegedly taken to a certain house where after his employer was called by the suspects. Further investigation established that the complainant reported a false case and he was arrested on 01 February 2023.
Provincial Commissioner of Police in Gauteng, Lieutenant General Elias Mawela denounces acts by community members who wilfully tell untruths or make a misrepresentation under oath. Cases that are falsely reported to the police inflate the overall crime statistics in the province, especially Gauteng, where robbery aggravated is a serious concern.
Moreover, reporting of false cases waste the SAPS’ time and resources which could have been utilised effectively on investigating other serious cases.
“Community members are urged to refrain from opening false cases at police stations. Perjury is an offence that is punishable by law. We will not tolerate any misuse of State resources, “said Lt Gen Mawela.
