52-year-old Xolile Douw from Kariega, who staged his kidnapping earlier this month, has been released on R 7 000 bail.
READ | Kariega suspect arrested for staging own kidnapping
He appeared in Kariega magistrate's court on charges of defeating the ends of justice and extortion on Wednesday, April 24.
Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela, said that Douw will be back in court on Thursday, May 23.
The charges against Douw come after the complainant, his wife, on Tuesday, April 16 at 16:00, allegedly received a phone call from his number.
The person on the other side of the line, according to Mgolodela, apparently told Douw's wife that he was not coming home and that she should not contact the police.
"It is further alleged that the complainant acted contrary to the instruction and informed the nearest police station," Mgolodela said earlier this week.
Douw's wife received a ransom demand of R60 000 a few days later, said Mgolodela.
The UD Express reported that the Hawks with the Crime Intelligence Gathering Kariega Detectives arrested Douw on Saturday, April 20, at his cousin's house in Kariega, where he hid under wooden pallets.