'He wanted an exemption to his examination paper that was due today'

A student was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly lying about being robbed in central Cape Town so he could be exempt from an examination, Western Cape police said.

Captain Frederick van Wyk said the man, 19, told police he had been robbed at gunpoint by four men on Wednesday at the corner of Darling and Buitenkant streets. He claimed they took his cellphone, money and bank cards, and threatened to dump his body if he did not co-operate.

The student said he managed to fight off one of the robbers before running to the Cape Town Central police station, to open a case of armed robbery.

“After being thoroughly interviewed by the detectives, the complainant admitted that he was telling lies to the police, because he wanted an exemption to his examination paper that was due today,” Van Wyk said.

“He wants the case number, which was going to be handed to his lecturer... so that he will be given an exemption.” 

The man was charged with defeating the ends of justice.