PORT ELIZABETH - COUPLE FABRICATED RANSOM STORY AND ARE ARRESTED IN CENTRAL

Police in Port Elizabeth is warning people that opening false cases is an offence and is punishable by law and will therefore not be tolerated by the South African Police Service.

Two people (male and female) were arrested yesterday and detained on charges of defeating the ends of justice.

It is alleged that on 26 March 2019, time unknown the male (aged 38) went to a house in Clyde Street, Central. He spent the night at this place. On 27 March 2019, he contacted his employer and informed that he is being kept against his will in Clyde Street and a ransom of R3000 must be paid before he could be released. The amount was paid on 27 March 2019.

According to the employer, the victim was not released and the ‘perpetrators’ demanded another R3000. At about 12:00, police was contacted. Immediately an operational centre was set up and all the necessary role players were involved.  After several hours of negotiations between the alleged ‘perpetrators,’ police succeeded in flushing them out.

The male and a female (24) were taken in for further questioning where it was established that they fabricated the story and was therefore arrested and detained on a charge of defeating the ends of justice.

They will appear in the Port Elizabeth magistrates’ on Monday, 1 April 2019.

The Acting Cluster Commander for Mount Road, Brig Andrew Louw is warning communities that ‘we will not hesitate to arrest and detain those who open false cases. The cases opened are very serious allegations and require intensive investigation which entail many long hours, manpower and resources. These resources could have been fruitfully utilized in more urgent matters of policing.

via - SAPS