Johannesburg – A man accused of lying to the police appeared in the Marikana Periodical Court on Thursday, North West police said.

Police spokesperson Sabata Mokgwabone said Dingaan Makola, 21, opened a business robbery case at the Marikana police station on Saturday, claiming that his tavern at Rankelenyane village was robbed.

He informed the police that a gun was pointed at him.

He was forced into the house where a safe containing an undisclosed amount of cash was taken.

He further alleged that he was tied up and left inside the tavern.

“Police investigation began immediately after the case was registered and it was discovered that the complainant faked the robbery,” said Mokgwabone.

“He allegedly took the police to the place where he dropped the safe. The safe was found together with approximately R500 cash inside.”

Makola was granted R800 bail and his case was postponed to 19 January.