A Vosloorus man and his fiancée have been arrested for reporting a false robbery and kidnap on Sunday, East Rand police spokesperson Andy Pieke said.
The man told police that he was robbed of his car as he and his family arrived at his Vosloorus home on Saturday night.
”The man alleged that they were threatened by two robbers. They then forced him to accompany them. After driving a short distance, he was forced out of the car.”
His fiancée later told police that their six-year-old child, who was sitting at the back seat of the car when the alleged crime happened, was missing.
Police activated the car’s satellite tracking device and started with their search.
”Through questioning of the man and his wife about the car robbery and kidnapping, it became clear that the police had not been told the truth.”
The child was found safe with her aunt on Sunday afternoon. ”She had never been kidnapped,” Pieke said.
The man’s car was later recovered in Johannesburg on Sunday night. ”We suspect that his car was stolen the previous evening and not robbed.”
The two were arrested for defeating the ends of justice.
They are expected to appear in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, Pieke said. — Sapa