‘Dead man’ walking

Zolani ‘Dead man’ Xego arrested, jailed years after feigning death in insurance fraud

There was drama in Southernwood on Friday when fraudster and former Buffalo City Metro ANC branch chair Zolani Xego barricaded himself in his flat and allegedly threw boiling water at police.

Six years of appeals had come to an end and a 15-strong force finally took Xego in to start serving his eight-year jail sentence — stopping only to charge him in court for allegedly assaulting them.

Neighbours said it took as long as an 80-minute rugby Test to prise the crooked former politician from his flat.

When the Dispatch team arrived on the scene, Xego was being escorted out of the building by 15 police officers — including the tactical response team, the Hawks, crime intelligence and visible policing.

The former chair of the Nokhanime ward 4 branch, who was out on R5,000 bail, cut a bizarre figure as he smiled while clutching a sheaf of papers on his walk to the police van.

He was not handcuffed, but photographs showed a police officer holding him firmly by his belt as he was finally ushered into the back of the van.

Xego had faked his own death to secure R3.5m in life insurance payouts 14 years ago.

He was supposed to have handed himself over to the clerk of the criminal court at the East London magistrate’s court at 9am on Monday.

Prosecutors had been waiting for 2½ years to prosecute after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) batted away his appeal.

The state recently initiated processes for him to surrender and start serving his effective eight-year prison term for the insurance fraud.

Eastern Cape NPA spokesperson Anelisa Ngcakani said when the police arrived at Xego’s home at 7am, he refused them entry.

“He allegedly threw boiling water at the officers when they eventually gained entry.

“It is alleged that the police retreated and he locked himself inside his home, but he eventually handed himself over when his lawyer arrived on the scene,” Ngcakani said.

Provincial police spokesperson Brig Tembinkosi Kinana confirmed Xego was taken to the East London regional court where he now also faced a new charge.

“A case of assault [GBH] has been opened against him following an alleged assault on police. Investigation continues,” Kinana said.

Xego’s neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said: “I could hear him telling the cops to call his lawyer and Ipid if they wanted him to open.”

She said the police had managed to get a spare key to Xego’s flat, but then boiling water was allegedly thrown, and the burglar gate slammed shut and locked.

Another neighbour said: “His lawyer arrived. They spoke through the burglar gate.

“He refused to surrender. He was making all kinds of demands — wanting to see the warrant of arrest and police were saying ‘here it is — just come out’, but he didn’t.”