. Racquel Kelly Smith
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers
On the ninth day of the trial into the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, evangelist Nico Steven Coetzee is expected to continue his testimony.
The six-year-old went missing on 19 February 2024 from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay. Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their friend, Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. Laurentia Lombaard, who had reportedly been smoking tik with them, has turned state witness.
The trial is being heard at the Western Cape High Court, which is sitting at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, near the missing girl’s home.
Coetzee was the twelfth witness to take the stand. He told the court that in August 2023, Kelly had said she was going to have her children taken away.
“She said it’s a bad family, which is why she was going to have the children taken away.
“I asked where and who was going to take the children, but she didn’t answer.
“She also said she was waiting for people who were supposed to come to her, but they had disappointed her.
“If they came this time and didn’t have the full amount of R20,000, she would be satisfied with R5,000.
“I asked again who would take the children and who would care for them, but she didn’t answer.”
Coetzee further testified that Kelly assured him that in January or February, Middelpos would be like a movie scene.
“You will see with your own eyes what will happen in Middelpos, Diazville. It will be like a movie scene—vehicles, pedestrians and people searching, but they won’t find anything, because I will make the child go far away.”
Cape Town TikToker Shakeerah ‘Shakes Warrior’ Ganief told the court that Kelly had told her to stop looking for her child.
“She said I should let the police do their job. She was very rude to me and defensive, especially when I spoke about Boeta.”
Ganief is expected to be cross-examined by the defence. On Wednesday, Kelly’s lawyer said his client needed to view the video evidence before they could question the witness.
Another officer is expected to take the stand and present evidence as the trial continues.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za
IOL News
