The vanishing trail: court examines missing German tourist Nick Frischke's last known movements | PICS
Missing German tourist, Nick Frischke.
Image: Supplied
Court evidence reveals German tourist Nick Frischke's final documented moments before his mysterious disappearance on a Cape Town hiking trail.
CCTV footage and witness testimony trace his journey from a Pinelands guesthouse to the hiking trail where he vanished, as four men stand accused of robbery but deny involvement in his disappearance.
The material, dated 15 February 2023, included photographs of Frischke leaving his Pinelands guesthouse, visiting the World of Birds in Hout Bay, and later being dropped off at Kanonberg on Karbonkelberg the last confirmed sightings of him on camera.
Witness accounts of Frishcke walking along the beach shore and taking pictures on the nearby boulders were also mentioned in court, along with photographs of where Frischke was allegedly last seen.
Private investigator Desmond Peens, hired by Frischke’s mother Jana, testified about how he retraced the 23-year-old’s final movements using cellphone records, Uber logs, and witness statements.
Nick Frischke leaving his place of accommodation
Image: Court documents/ Supplied
Nick Frischke seen on CCTV camera
Image: Court documents/ Supplied
Nick Frischke at World of Birds
Image: Court documents/ Supplied
Nick Frischke on the hiking trail
Image: Court documents/ Supplied
The hiking trail Nick Frischke took
Image: Court documents/ Supplied
Frischke, described as a fit young runner and volunteer firefighter, had travelled to South Africa, using money he saved up, for a dream holiday before starting university.
Witnesses placed him on the trail near Hangberg, but from there the trail went cold.
Despite his reputation as a strong outdoorsman, the court heard how Frischke’s trail abruptly ended. Peens said load shedding at the time had disabled nearby security cameras, and poor weather hampered early search efforts. Divers later reported seeing him taking photos at the rocks on the day of his disappearance.
Days later, Peens identified Frischke’s backpack at the Hout Bay police station, later confirmed to have been in the possession of one of the accused. His cellphone was also traced and recovered.
Four men Carlo and Melvin Geunantin, Vanroy Petersen, and Ishaam Fischer are accused of robbing Frischke of his belongings during the hike and face additional charges of aggravated robbery, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, and gang-related crimes under POCA.
All four have denied any involvement in the crime and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
German embassy officials are attending the proceedings as Frischke’s family cannot afford to travel to South Africa.
The family remians hopeful that Frischke will be found.
The case was postponed to 29 August for further trial.
tracy-lynn.ruiters@inl.co.za