Man accused of faking own kidnapping granted bail

A Kariega man arrested for allegedly faking his own kidnapping was released on R7,000 bail on Wednesday.

Xolile Ben Douw, 52, disappeared on April 16 and allegedly led his family to believe he had been abducted, even demanding a R60,000 ransom.

He was found in KwaNobuhle on Saturday and arrested.

“Xolile Douw appeared in the Kariega magistrate’s court on charges of defeating the ends of justice and extortion,” Hawks spokesperson Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said. on Wednesday afternoon.

“He was released on R7,000 bail and will  appear in court again on May 23, pending investigations.”

Douw was meant to deliver a lecture at a school on the outskirts of Kariega on the day he disappeared, but failed to turn up.

He was reported missing the next day.

Armand du Preez, a Kariega businessman and chair of Emerging Farmers, who then offered a R20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the abductors, said Douw remained his friend.

HeraldLIVE