The two men who are accused of kidnapping Gqeberha biokineticist, Riana Pretorius, have denied any involvement in the case where a ransom demand of R2 million was made for her safe return.
Thirty-nine-year-old Xolisile Rhawutini and 40-year-old Xolani Kafile, appeared at the Gqeberha Magistrates Court on Wednesday for their formal bail application.
While the state has added more charges between the pair which include kidnapping, unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition, extortion, and possession of the suspected stolen property, the duo deny knowing each other.
In opposing bail the state said that the pair were facing schedule six offences.
Rhawutini who was represented by Bay attorney, Bond Nyoka, said in an affidavit that he was a mere Motherwell Jikeleza driver who was doing an extra trip when he was "wrongfully arrested".
He revealed that he had two pending robbery cases from Despatch and Kareiga and was out on bail for those matters.
Rhawutini said that on 16 March he had been tasked to pick up a fare near Greenacres, using another person's vehicle, but he said the "pick-up" never materialised.
He said on his way back to Motherwell he saw a car chasing him down Grahamstown Road and because of fear of crime he stopped the vehicle and decided to run, but he was arrested.
Rhawutini said in his affidavit that police hit and pepper-sprayed him in the eyes.
He further added that he did not know anything about the gun nor did he know his co-accused.
Meanwhile, Kafile’s attorney Wayne Mac Gear, told the court that his client has no pending cases, but has a 2016 conviction for which he is on parole.
According to his affidavit, he was not even in Gqeberha during Pretorius's kidnapping and has an alibi to prove that.
Kafile said he was not in the possession of a firearm or ammunition at the time of his arrest and that police had sworn at him after taking him to a house in Gqeberha where he was sworn at by police in an attempt to get a confession out of him.
The duo will remain in custody, and the matter was postponed to 13 April for the continuation of the bail hearing.
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