Jeannette Harksen, wife of alleged German swindler Jurgen, has been released from police custody after being arrested at the couple's home in Constantia on Tuesday.

She was arrested after failing to appear at an insolvency hearing on her husband's estate. Harksen refused to answer any queries about the hearing.

Eileen Fey, an estate trustee, told Cape Talk radio Harksen was released on Tuesday night, after an urgent application to the Cape High Court.

"We did not oppose the application on condition the order granted included an order she will appear on Thursday to answer the questions."

The Harksens face fraud charges of almost R100m in SA. An order extraditing Jurgen Harksen to Germany is on hold, pending the outcome of the Desai inquiry.

With acknowledgements to Sapa and Business Day.