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A "pregnant" woman allegedly reported a false case of kidnapping at Mount Road Police Station after her "baby" was "stolen" from a local hospital.
The 23-year-old woman alleged said that her husband dropped her off at Provincial Hospital in Mount Croix at noon on October 7 where she was due to deliver her "baby."
According to her, she gave birth and went to the nursery later that day to check on her child, but the baby was not there.
Police spokesperson, Col. Priscilla Naidu, said that the woman claimed when she started making a noise at the hospital, she was thrown out by nurses and security.
"She reported the alleged kidnapping at SAPS Mount Road. A case of kidnapping was opened and as the investigation unfolded, it was established that the woman had lied and had never given birth nor was she pregnant," Naidu said.
On Monday, October 10 police opened a case of perjury against her. She was arrested and charged.
Yesterday, Farhaanah Abrahams appeared in the Gqeberha Magistrate's Court and was released on R500 bail. The case is postponed to November 9.
The South African Police Service has sent out a stern warning to those who open false cases.
"The opening of false cases is an offence and is punishable by law and will therefore not be tolerated by the South African Police Service," Naidu added.
Nelson Mandela Bay District Commissioner, Maj. Gen. Vuyisile Ncata, stated that "cases require intensive investigation which entail many long hours, manpower and resources. These resources could have been fruitfully utilised in more urgent matters of policing. We will not hesitate to arrest and detain those who open false cases. Civil claims could be instituted to recover costs involved. False reports impact on crime statistics and creates an inaccurate account of crime," he said.
