KIMBERLEY – A 44-year-old male was arrested for perjury after opening a false criminal case with the police.

According to Warrant Officer Molefi Shemane, police spokesperson, the suspect opened a case of car hijacking at the Kimberley Police Station on 10 September. He alleged that his vehicle had been taken from him by four armed men in Kimberley.

The case docket was assigned to Detective Warrant Officer Anthony Rheeder of the Kimberley Vehicle Crime Investigation Unit for further investigation. During the preliminary investigation, Rheeder established that the vehicle had reportedly been repossessed by the Sheriff of the Court after the suspect failed to meet his monthly financial obligations to the bank.

Further investigation revealed the suspect had allegedly failed to cooperate with the Sheriff’s Office and subsequently reported the false hijacking to the police. The suspect was arrested last week and has already made his first appearance in court.

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Police warn against false reports

The South African Police Service cautions members of the public that deliberately opening a false criminal case is a serious offence. Such incidents unnecessarily consume valuable police and judicial resources, diverting investigators, personnel and funding away from genuine cases requiring urgent attention.

The public is urged to refrain from abusing the criminal justice system by reporting false cases.

“Every false report not only wastes public resources, but also takes investigators away from active investigations and may compromise the effective administration of justice,” said Shemane.

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