The Nick Frischke case returned to court this week after magistrate Karel Meyer ruled that evidence from a Hangberg house search could be used in the trial, reports Cape {town} Etc.
The case stems from the 2023 disappearance of German tourist Nick Frischke in Hout Bay, which set off widespread concern across Cape Town.
The ruling followed a dispute over whether police had lawfully entered the property where officers said they found items linked to Frischke, including his backpack.
According to a post shared on the Atlantic Seaboard Community Forum on 19 March 2026, Lt. Col. Zola Gatyana testified that he and Sgt. Xolile Mashece went to the house at about 5am, knocked on the door and explained why they were there.
Gatyana said, ‘We knocked and identified ourselves as police’ and told the court that ‘someone peeped through the window’ before a woman opened the door.
The defence challenged that version and argued that the search was unlawful. Meyer rejected the argument and ruled the search legal, with the testimony admissible, Cape Argus reports.
The case involves Carlo Geunantin, Vanroy Petersen, Melvin Geunantin and Ishaam Fischer, who face aggravated robbery, firearms and POCA-related charges. The accused remains in custody as the trial continues.
The state alleges that the accused robbed Frischke of his backpack and other belongings near Hout Bay. The trial is set to continue before the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on 14 April 2026.
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Picture: Dirk Niepolt / Facebook
