Three suspects made a brief appearance in court yesterday with another two due to appear today following the disappearance of a German tourist in Cape Town two weeks ago.
Also read: NSRI Hout Bay joins efforts to locate 22-year-old German tourist
While the search for 22-year-old Nick Frischke continues, the Hout Bay Community Policing Forum has confirmed the group’s appearance after items belonging to the tourist were found in their possession last week.
“We can confirm that three suspects in the disappearance of Nick Frischke appeared in court yesterday and they have admitted to robbing Mr Frischke,” read a post on the policing forum’s Facebook page this morning. “Two more suspects will appear in court today. The victims backpack and cellphone were recovered as well as a knife.”
“Despite intensive questioning and following up of information from the suspects there is still no sign of the missing hiker. Saps Investigation continues.”
A candlelight vigil will be held in Hout Bay tomorrow as the search continues.
The 22-year-old was staying at an Airbnb in Pinelands at the time of his disappearance, and left the premises on foot on 15 February, resulting in a massive search by both law enforcement and the community.
Last week, Hout Bay Community Crime Prevention confirmed that Frischke was last spotted alone on the Hangberg trail.
His credit card was later found among items that were discovered in a raid in Hangberg during an operation following a house robbery on 21 February.
Searches were also conducted by the NSRI, a Western Cape Government Health EMS rescue squad drone team, an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) rescue squad trail search and rescue team, a police K9 search and rescue team, WSAR (Wilderness Search and Rescue) members and WSAR K9 search and rescue.
Meanwhile in Germany, a Paypal account has been opened to raise €19,000 (about R370,000) to support the family and local aid organisations in their search. The donations pledged stood at €13,321.60, just over R260, 000, by Monday.
Taking to Facebook, the Hout Bay Community Policing Forum denied rumours that Frischke had been found, adding that there had been a massive effort from authorities and volunteer services to find him.
“The SAPS investigation is at a sensitive stage and everyone is requested to avoid spreading rumours and conjecture,” it said.
Police spokesperson, FC Van Wyk, confirmed that both the investigation and the search for Frischke were still under way, adding that there were no new developments that could be disclosed at this stage.
The candlelight vigil will be taking place at Hout Bay Beach at 7:30pm on Wednesday.
Also read:
ID belonging to missing German tourist found in Hout Bay arrest
Picture: Tom Frischke / Facebook