| 2021/10/04 |
Media Statement NELSPRUIT - The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Manamela has sent a stern warning to members of the public not to open false cases as such deeds can land them behind bars. The warning comes after the arrest of a 33 year-old man on Monday, 04 October 2021 on allegations of deliberately fabricating a case of hijacking on 23 September 2021. According to police report, the suspect is said to have opened a car-jacking case. He then informed police that on the said day his vehicle, a Toyota Hilux bakkie, had been hijacked at around 11h45 in Ermelo. Police at Ermelo assembled their resources with an anticipation to bring those responsible to book however in the tour of their investigation they discovered inconsistencies in some of the information that he initially gave on his statement, which did not tally with the one he gave them when they interviewed him. The investigation team realised that after all there was reportedly no incident of hijacking that took place on that day. Police at Ermelo then explained to him about this discrepancy and that his actions amount to a criminal offence hence his arrest and a charge of perjury laid against him. The suspect is expected to appear before the Ermelo Magistrate's Court soon meanwhile the investigation continues. The Provincial Commissioner also informed the community that opening false cases have a negative impact in the fight against crime where resources and manpower that were supposed to have been directed in areas where they were needed most would then be misdirected and wasted.
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