The Wynberg Magistrate’s Court has concluded that there is not enough evidence to add murder to the charge sheet in the ongoing case of missing German tourist Nick Frischke.
Also read: Investigating officer set to testify but German tourist is still missing
On Friday, the five men accused of robbing Frischke on 15 February after he left his Airbnb accommodation in Pinelands appeared via video link from the Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town.
Igshaan Fisher, Jason Abrahams, Vanroy Petersen, Carlo Guenantin and Melvin Guenantin reportedly waved and blew kisses to the camera, according to News24. The group was arrested on charges of aggravated robbery and the possession of a firearm.
During court proceedings, state prosecutor Caleb Williams said that Abrahams intends to apply for bail and that he would need to return to court on 22 September to consult with his legal aid lawyer on the bail application. The court permitted his return to court, while the rest of the group is scheduled to appear via video link again.
A Regional Court date is set for 10 October. ‘It will be their first appearance in the Regional Court, where their rights will be read again,’ says Williams. Fisher reportedly asked to consult with his lawyer as he wanted to plead.
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While a murder charge will not be added to the case, a senior court official told News24 that it could still be added. FC van Wyk, Western Cape police spokesperson, says the investigation is still ongoing. ‘The search has not been abandoned but scaled down. In partnership with local community organisations, search and rescue and local hiking clubs, searches are still being conducted in the area and surrounds of his disappearance.’
He added that the South African Police Service (SAPS) does extensive searches in events where ‘credible new information is received’.
Outside the court, Abrahams’s father Randall said he was happy that his son would get a chance to apply for bail. ‘He didn’t do anything wrong and should be freed. He’s being accused of something he didn’t do. He’s looking after himself. All they do is sit in their cells talking to one another and doing their normal routine work that they [are] supposed to do.’
He added that he was relieved that a murder charge wasn’t added. ‘There is no evidence of murder. They can’t find any evidence of who murdered him or where Nick is at this moment. He might be somewhere in Cape Town or somewhere else. Nobody knows if he’s dead or alive. They have no proof of anything. The cops are not investigating.’
However, SAPS disputed this version.
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Also read:
Suspects may face murder charges while German tourist remains missing
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