Police have issued a stern warning against giving false information about crime. This comes after a 29 year-old man gave a false statement to the police at the Humewood Police station in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, claiming he was hijacked and robbed.
Police questioned him as they were suspicious of his version and it later turned out he was robbed of his cellphone, wallet and keys while he was sitting with a woman in a parked car and was not hijacked.
Police spokesperson Colonel Priscilla Naidu says they have opened a case of perjury against him.
“A case of hijacking is a serious crime and every relevant role player including forensic experts are summoned to the scene. We are also warning the public especially those from ‘out of town’ to be vigilant and refrain from picking up prostitutes as many cases of robbery and carjacking have been opened only to find out later that the amorous complainants are robbed and attacked while busy. Police are also advising people especially students who negligently lose their laptops and cell phones that they will be arrested and charged if they falsely open cases for insurance claims. We are working closely with insurance companies in an effort to clamp down on false reporting.”
