Teen Girl Charged with Perjury After False Rape Claim in Mpumalanga
Police in Mpumalanga have charged a 16-year-old girl with perjury after she falsely reported being raped while hitchhiking.
The teenager initially claimed she was attacked by two men in a black Volkswagen Polo earlier this week, prompting a swift police response.
Also Read: Man Sentenced to Life in Prison After Killing Farmer While Disguised as a Muslim Woman
Truth Revealed: Girl Admits to Fabricating Story
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jabu Ndubane confirmed to IOL that investigators from the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit found inconsistencies in her account.
“During the investigation, it was established that no rape occurred. The girl eventually confessed that she had visited a male friend and, fearing her parents’ reaction, lied about being raped,”Ndubane said.
Dramatic False Allegations Unravel
In her initial statement, the teen alleged she was hitchhiking from Dullstroom to Lydenburg when two men offered her a ride.
She claimed the driver diverted to a secluded area, where she was rendered unconscious by a chemical-soaked cloth. She further accused the passenger of raping her and offering her money—claims later proven false.
Police Condemn False Reporting
Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi expressed disappointment, warning against the consequences of false reports.
“We will not show mercy to individuals who open false cases. Crime statistics show an increase in sexual offences, making it even more concerning when people abuse the system with fake claims,” Mkhwanazi said.
Commissioner Mkhwanazi condemned the fabricated rape claim, stressing that false allegations harm genuine victims of gender-based violence and divert critical resources from real cases.
He warned that those who deliberately mislead investigators will face criminal charges.
“False reports insult the real victims of gender-based violence, who are genuinely suffering and need our support. We urge members of the public to work with us honestly. Anyone found to be providing false information will be charged. We will not hesitate to make an example out of such individuals.”