Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith are expected to appear before Judge Nathan Erasmus in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay, in connection with the disappearance of Joshlin Smith.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
A new witness is set to take the stand as the second week of the trial into Joshlin Smith’s disappearance gets underway.
The six-year-old from Saldanha Bay went missing on 19 February 2024. Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were arrested weeks later after Joshlin disappeared from her Middelpos home in Diazville. At the time of her disappearance, Joshlin was reportedly in the care of her mother’s boyfriend.
The trio face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping, to which they have pleaded not guilty. A fourth person, Laurentia Lombaard, who was initially charged alongside them, has turned state witness and is expected to testify during the month-long trial.
Constable Refilwe Sekhobe, who took a key witness’s statement, is expected to testify this week, followed by several civilian witnesses.
On 3 March, dozens of Saldanha Bay residents gathered at the White City Multipurpose Centre, where the Western Cape High Court is sitting. However, attendance has dwindled as the trial has progressed.
The first witness, Constable Yanga Gongotha, described his initial encounter with Smith, stating that she appeared more concerned about her boyfriend than her missing daughter. He testified that Kelly did not seem worried about Joshlin’s disappearance.
Another key figure in the case, Appollis, admitted through his lawyer that he had been around the children but denied any involvement in Joshlin's disappearance. He detailed excessive drug use and claimed police had tortured him into making a confession.
Joshlin Smith has been missing since Monday, February 19, 2024.
Image: Supplied
Similarly, Steveno van Rhyn denied seeing Kelly’s children and alleged that he, too, was tortured by police.
Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith’s plea explanation was inconsistent with previous testimonies. While she admitted to drug use and searching for Joshlin, she maintained her innocence.
Sergeant Meyer Milstein from the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit was questioned about Smith’s medication use and the state of her home at the time of her daughter's disappearance. Smith’s lawyer clarified that both rooms in her shack were used as bedrooms and that she had been prescribed antidepressants.
However, Milstein refuted this, stating that Smith regularly took methamphetamine.
Milstein also testified that the key suspects gave inconsistent statements during questioning. He stated that Smith, her boyfriend, and Laurentia Lombaard were dishonest during interviews and that there was insufficient evidence to detain them initially.
None of the accused actively participated in any search efforts for Joshlin.
The investigation uncovered blood evidence inside Smith’s shack.
“We searched the residence, and a biology dog identified a pillowcase and a bedsheet with stains resembling blood. These items were collected by members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC), who also photographed the scene,” Milstein testified.
“Upon further investigation, I discovered a child-sized pink flip-flop. It was relevant as it matched the description of Joshlin’s clothing given by Ms Smith,” he added.
On Thursday morning, a court-ordered inspection in loco took place in Middelpos as part of the investigation into Joshlin’s disappearance. The judge, legal teams, and the accused visited key locations, starting at Joshlin’s home, to verify testimony.
Tensions flared as angry residents confronted Smith, demanding answers and shouting, “Where is Joshlin?” The crowd’s anger intensified, and Smith broke down in tears before being placed in a police van.
The search for Joshlin continues, with the community demanding justice and the truth.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za
