KZN Teen Arrested After Falsely Reporting Rape and Kidnapping to Police

KwaZulu-Natal police have arrested an 18-year-old woman for perjury and defeating the ends of justice after she falsely reported a horrific tale of rape and kidnapping, which later turned out to be fabricated.

The arrest was made by detectives from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, following an intensive investigation into the complaint lodged at the Verulam police station on May 2.

A Story That Unraveled

The young woman initially claimed that she had attended a party in Waterloo with friends and used an e-hailing service to return home. She alleged that the driver diverted the trip to Durban, where she handed a packet to another vehicle’s occupants, before being taken to a club in Claremont, drugged, assaulted, and raped by several men.

In response, police immediately launched an investigation into the serious allegations, opening rape and kidnapping cases and initiating a search for the suspects.

However, as investigators began to probe deeper, discrepancies in her story raised red flags.

The Confession

Under further questioning, the complainant admitted to fabricating the entire story. She explained that she was afraid of facing her mother’s reaction and embarrassment from the community.

Following her confession, she was arrested and charged. She appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Monday and was released on bail, pending further legal proceedings.

Police Condemn False Reports

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, strongly condemned the misuse of police resources and the damage caused by false reports.

“We are doing everything we can to end the scourge of gender-based violence and criminality against women and children. We cannot afford to have women reporting imaginary cases for their own benefit,” he said.

Mkhwanazi stressed that such acts undermine the credibility of genuine victims and divert limited resources from real investigations.

He added that civil action could be taken if false claims lead to wrongful arrests.

A Warning to the Public

The police have issued a stern warning that anyone caught fabricating criminal complaints—especially those as serious as sexual assault—will face the full might of the law.

{Source: IOL}

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