The second week of the trial into the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith is underway, with a new witness poised to take the stand.
Joshlin, who went missing on 19 February 2024 from her home in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, was reportedly under the care of her mother’s boyfriend at the time. Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were arrested weeks after Joshlin’s disappearance.
The trio faces charges of human trafficking and kidnapping, to which they have pleaded not guilty. Laurentia Lombaard, a fourth person initially charged alongside them, has turned state witness and is expected to testify during the trial, which is set to run for a month.
Constable Refilwe Sekhobe, who took a key witness’s statement, is scheduled to testify this week, with several civilian witnesses following.
Despite early interest from Saldanha Bay residents, with dozens attending the trial’s opening session on 3 March at the White City Multipurpose Centre, attendance has steadily decreased as the trial progresses.
Initial Testimonies and Tension in the Courtroom
The trial began with testimony from Constable Yanga Gongotha, who described his first meeting with Kelly Smith, noting that she seemed more concerned about her boyfriend than her missing daughter. Gongotha testified that Kelly appeared unfazed by Joshlin’s disappearance.
Appollis, another key figure in the case, admitted to being around the children but denied involvement in Joshlin’s disappearance. He claimed excessive drug use and alleged police torture during his interrogation, a defense that has been echoed by Steveno van Rhyn, who also denied any contact with Kelly’s children. Van Rhyn claimed that police had tortured him into confessing.
Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith’s defense has been marked by inconsistencies. While she acknowledged drug use and searching for Joshlin, she insisted on her innocence.
Sergeant Meyer Milstein of the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit testified about Smith’s medication and the state of her home. Smith’s lawyer clarified that both rooms in her shack were used as bedrooms and that she had been prescribed antidepressants. Milstein, however, refuted this, stating that Smith was regularly using methamphetamine.
Milstein also revealed that the accused provided inconsistent statements during questioning. He stated that Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, and Laurentia Lombaard were dishonest during interviews, and he noted that there was insufficient evidence to detain them at the outset of the investigation.
Blood Evidence and Court-Ordered Inspection in Middelpos
The investigation uncovered blood evidence inside Smith’s shack. Milstein testified that a biology dog identified a pillowcase and bedsheet with stains resembling blood. The Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) collected and photographed these items.
A crucial piece of evidence was a child-sized pink flip-flop found during the investigation, which matched the description of Joshlin’s clothing as provided by Kelly Smith.
On Thursday morning, a court-ordered inspection took place in Middelpos, where the legal teams and the accused visited key locations, including Joshlin’s home, to verify testimonies.
During the inspection, tensions ran high as angry residents confronted Kelly Smith, demanding answers and shouting, “Where is Joshlin?” The situation escalated, with Smith breaking down in tears before being escorted to a police van for her safety.
The search for Joshlin continues, with the community determined to seek justice and uncover the truth.
Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram
For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com
Sergeant Testifies in Joshlin Smith Disappearance Trial, Uncovering Key Evidence