Manenberg SAPS detectives have found a significant increase of people who are perjuring themselves by reporting false cases.
Manenberg SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Ian Bennett, said the cases range from false insurance claims to opening false cases to “secure jobs”.
“The latest case involves a man, who was supposed to work over a weekend, but he decided to party and only returned to work on the Tuesday. This meant that he could face serious disciplinary action from his employer. When he realised this, he decided to report a case of hijacking. He alleged that unidentified men hijacked him and knocked him unconscious. He claimed that he laid in a field for five days before he gained consciousness.
“When detectives interviewed him, they realised that his story did not make sense. The interview turned into an interrogation and this is where the truth was revealed. The complainant became a suspect, and has been charged with perjury.”
Lieutenant Bennett warned people not to open and report false cases. “When people decide to open up false cases, they open themselves up to criminal prosecution and Manenberg SAPS detectives will not hesitate to prosecute. This type of action also has an impact on crime stats. Where we could be concentrating on serious matters, time is wasted on false cases.”
* In other crime, Manenberg SAPS arrested a 69-year-old man for the possession of tik on Friday March 11. Police officers were busy with stop and searches, and patrols within the precinct, when they saw the man walk from a known drug house, in Sugarloaf Street, Heideveld, going towards Tambo Village.
Said Lieutenant Bennett: “Members stopped the man and searched him and found 50g of tik, with a street value of R5 000, in his possession. He parked his car in Tambo Village, trying to give the impression that he lives in the area. However, our members of the crime prevention unit are of the best crime fighting team and must not be underestimated – they can smell a rat in any hole.”
The man, a resident from Athlone, will appear in the Athlone Magistrate’s Court soon.
* Bishop Lavis SAPS, as part of its weekly operation to address gangsterism and drugs, along with provincial and local role-players, arrested three men, in separate incidents in Bonteheuwel, for the possession of drugs, among others. The suspects were arrested in Borriehout Street, Mahogany Street and Netreg Road on Friday March 11.
Bishop Lavis SAPS spokesperson, Captain Marie Louw, said: “The public might think that if the police caught suspects in possession of drugs, they get away with warnings or minor fines. This is not true. The detectives fight hard for maximum sentences or fines. For the month of February, 85 people were given hefty fines or imprisonment, ranging from R2 000 to R10 000, and from 100 days to 12 months.”
The efforts of Bishop Lavis SAPS detectives have also resulted in successful convictions.
Damian Petersen, 21, an Americans gang member, was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment after being found guilty of the murder of Bryan Arendse, 17, who was shot and killed on February 28, 2014.
Captain Louw said they have also made another arrest: “Rashaad Adams of Mahogany Street in Bonteheuwel was arrested for the possession of a firearm in July last year. It was found that this firearm’s serial number had been filed off. He was also found to be a member of the Americans gang, active in Bonteheuwel. After great investigation into building a case, he was found guilty and sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on Friday February 19.”