KEY POINTS
- On February 19, 2024 Joshlin Smith disappeared which initiated a country-wide search for her.
- The Western Cape High Court proceeding continues against the mother of Joshlin Smith and two others because of their kidnapping and trafficking offenses.
- The state witness from the trial’s other accused cases stated Kelly Smith planned to sell all her children multiple months before Joshlin Smith went missing.
Community members along with people across the nation will begin anticipating the outcome of the Joshlin Smith disappearance case which will be held on Monday.
The Grade 1 learner disappeared on February 19, 2024 which led to long-lasting searches across all areas but no one spotted her anywhere.
The trial of Kelly Smith and Jacquen Appollis alongside Steveno van Rhyn started at the Saldanha Bay Multipurpose Centre through a Western Cape High Court circuit sitting.
The defendants must face charges of human trafficking combined with kidnapping to pursue exploitation ends.
A key witness admitted under oath
Judge Gayaat Da Silva Salie issued an order to move the case to Saldanha Bay since community members had dedicated numerous searches for Joshlin thus serving justice best. The upcoming trial will receive attention from both Judge Nathan Erasmus and a strong police security force.
Laurentia Lombaard testified before the court that Kelly Smith intended to begin the process of giving her children away or selling them starting in August 2023 which Smith scheduled for execution between January and February 2024.
The video footage shows Kelly Smith walking Joshlin to a mysterious woman inside a white vehicle just before the disappearance because the event occurred on February 18th.
During the same day the three individuals exchanged thoughts about the operation and its monetary distribution.
At the time of disappearance Joshlin wore a light blue T-shirt and denim shorts while displaying a birthmark on her left arm.
Arrests after trial proceedings may become additional possibilities for the investigation.
The numerous community search efforts failed to recover Joshlin while new information which could help solve the case has not come to light.
The State plans to introduce vital evidence documents to the court through the trial process but makes it clear that more arrests of potential culprits and extra charges might be pending.
