Police discourage opening of cases for financial gain

Rietgat police have implored the community to be true and honest in their interaction with the law.

This as its client service centre (CSC) registered an increase in assault cases that are withdrawn by the complainant.

Spokesperson Captain Stephen Maluleka believed that people who are not true victims of assault, would open a case to extort money from the alleged perpetrator, then withdraw the case in court after being paid.

“As things stand, the station opened over 160 cases of common assault from October 2022 to December 2022.”

He said after the police have spent time and resources investigating, the victims withdrew the case in court.

“This meteoric rise in the common assault offences and their withdrawal are a clear indication that some in the community were quick to open cases, then rush to court to withdraw them after financially benefiting from the alleged suspects.

“It is worrisome that there are members of the public who are willing to vilify others by alleging assault,” said Maluleka.

Maluleka said that common assault was the unlawful and intentional direct or indirect application of force to the body of another person, or threat of violence against another.

He said Rietgat police were concerned about the moral fibre of the people they served and protected if their suspicions were true.

“We therefore urge and encourage our community to do the right thing and avoid being on the wrong side of the law.”

He urged community members intent on extortion through opening of criminal cases to stop with immediate effect.

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