KEY POINTS
- This week marks the continuation of proceedings related to the abduction and human trafficking of Joshlin Smith.
- Judiciary investigates several defendants who include Joshlin’s mother together with her boyfriend and another co-accused person.
- Captain Wesley Lombard will testify about the search attempts for Joshlin who was sold for R20,000.
The fundamental trial for the Joshlin Smith kidnapping and human trafficking case will return this week to the Western Cape High Court in Saldanha.
Proceedings in the eighth session are ongoing at the White City Multipurpose Centre.
The court continues with the main trial after finishing the internal trial which occurred during the previous week. Joshlin Smith trial resumes, the separate court proceeding became necessary after Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis along with Steveno van Rhyn filed claims about police violence against them.
Kelly Smith the mother of Joshlin showed no signs of reaction to accusations directed against her.
Accused and confessions admitted as evidence
The accused in the case include Joshlin’s mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn. Legal evidence came from recordings and admissions of confession by both Appollis and van Rhyn to the court while police personnel with medical experts gave statements about the case.
The defendants presented their testimonies to the court while denying police made them suffer physical abuse. The State’s questioning showed contradictions between the defendants’ accounts to the court and Judge Nathan Erasmus pressed them regarding vital details. The court sanctioned the use of the statements gathered by both men as evidence so they joined the case exhibits.
Joshlin Smith trial resumes, as investigation continues as public awaits answers
Wesley Lombard the investigating captain will resume his testimony when the main trial resumes its work next week. Authority Captain Lombard plans to disclose his investigative processes along with the official procedures used to search for the missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith who disappeared on February 19th 2024.
The authorities believe Joshua Smith was sold for R20,000 when he was in Grade 1 at Diazville Primary School. Public sentiment remains optimistic about finding Joshlin Smith safe because no clues have surfaced about her disappearance after she disappeared in February 2024.
