POLICE in KZN are imploring communities to refrain from opening false cases after a string of women were charged for perjury following various claims, including those of rape and kidnapping.

Also read: Sewage issues plague Winklespruit

Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda said that a woman was charged with perjury after lying to police about the kidnapping of her three-month-old baby, whom she claimed was snatched from her by three men in Melmoth on September 13.

“Police unleashed a search team comprising various roleplayers to search for the child and after several hours of extensive search, it came to light that the woman had lied about the kidnapping, and that she never gave birth to a baby. Police found that the woman had lied to her boyfriend and his family that she was pregnant and had given birth. The same woman had told her own family that she suffered a miscarriage,” said Netshiunda.

Netshiunda explained that reporting a false case is a criminal offence, and wastes the police’s limited resources.

“Police ensure that those who open false cases are met with the wrath of the law. The time that police spend opening imaginary cases and investigating non-existent crime could be spent preventing, combating and investigating genuine cases opened by real victims of crime,” said Netshiunda.

Amanzimtoti police spokesperson Captain Charlene van der Spuy said that one common trend was identified locally, where complainants open false cases for compensation.

She explained that a case of perjury is opened by police as soon as it is discovered through the investigation process that a false case was reported.

Van der Spuy said that perjury is the act of lying under oath or in a sworn statement. This may be done in a trial or deposition, or providing false information in affidavits or other sworn documents.

“It may be done to avoid legal repercussions or punishment, to shield friends, family or associates from trouble, or even to benefit financially. Other reasons police noticed include complainants hiding information to save face or avoid personal or professional embarrassment, or due to being forced or pressured into lying by others. Regardless, perjury can lead to fines, imprisonment or both, and may also harm one’s reputation and credibility in legal proceedings,” said Van der Spuy.

Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.