DURBAN - A 53-year-old suspect has been charged with perjury and failing to safeguard a firearm, after reporting to police he had been robbed of the weapon at gunpoint while driving in Mariannhill.
Police however established the suspect had gone to visit his girlfriend in Marianhill and left his firearm in his vehicle. The firearm was stolen by suspects who broke into the vehicle.
Police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said that on Saturday, May 7 at 12:50pm, a case of armed robbery was reported at Mariannhill SAPS.
“A 53-year-old man allegedly reported that he was driving along Ukuthola Road in Mariannhill when his vehicle was jammed by unknown men. At gunpoint, they robbed him of his firearm and fled the scene.”
Ngcobo added the docket was assigned to an investigating officer.
“During the investigation it was established that there were contradictions in the complainant’s statement. The complainant was immediately contacted and he was interviewed thoroughly. It was established that he had reported a false case.
“He was informed that making a false statement under oath is a criminal offence. The investigation revealed that he visited his girlfriend in Mariannhill and left the firearm in the vehicle. The vehicle was broken into by unknown suspects and the firearm was stolen.”
Ngcobo said the man was arrested and charged for perjury and failing to safeguard a firearm.
He was to appear in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.
“We are appealing to the members of the community to refrain from opening false cases. It is a criminal offence to lie under oath and whoever commits this offence will face the law.”
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