Pastor arrested for allegedly fabricating hijacking report

The Star

05-05-2025

A 68-year-old pastor faces legal repercussions for fabricating a carjacking story, raising concerns about resource misuse in police investigations.
In a shocking twist, a 68-year-old pastor has been arrested for allegedly fabricating a hijacking incident
Limpopo police spokesperson Colonel Malesela Ledwaba stated that on May 2, the 68-year-old pastor approached the Westenburg police station to report a hijacking incident that occurred along the R37 road.
'The suspect claimed that on 11 April 2025, at around 09:00, he was driving a Daihatsu Terios towards Polokwane when he picked up two hitchhikers who were headed in the same direction,' said Ledwaba.
Ledwaba added that the pastor claimed he was hijacked at gunpoint by the two hitchhikers shortly after offering them a lift, and later found his vehicle abandoned along the R37 without its gearbox.
According to Ledwaba, the investigation took police to a scrapyard in the Lebowakgomo policing area, where the owner contradicted the suspect's claims, stating that the pastor had asked for a tow truck after experiencing mechanical issues with his vehicle.
'The scrapyard owner informed police that the suspect had contacted him for towing services after his vehicle broke down due to gearbox issues,' he added.
Investigations further revealed that the suspect was with his personal driver when the vehicle broke down.
He had paid 50% of the repair cost for the gearbox before it was reportedly stolen.
Ledwaba mentioned that when the 68-year-old pastor was confronted with the inconsistencies in his story, he eventually confessed that the hijacking had never taken place.
'The suspect changed the tune to confirm that the carjacking never took place, and he was arrested for furnishing false information,' he said.
The 68-year-old pastor appeared before the Polokwane Magistrate's Court on 5 May, facing charges of providing false information to the police. The case has been postponed to May 22.
Meanwhile, Acting Provincial Commissioner Major General Samuel Manala praised the police for their determination and commitment in pursuing the case.
"These kind of false cases stretches the resources unnecessarily and in the process, the most deserving complaints are denied the opportunity to be attended to promptly."
The Star
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