As the trial of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith enters its seventh day, new witnesses from the Saldanha Bay community are expected to testify about their experiences after learning of her disappearance.  

Joshlin was last seen on 19 February 2024. Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their friend, Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, have been charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.  

On Monday, four witnesses, including a detective and members of the public, took the stand. Constable Refilwe Sekhobe testified that she took initial statements from two individuals and described how she and her partner, Sergeant Meyer Milstein, first became involved in the case.  

Sekhobe explained that she was in Morreesburg when she received a call about the missing child. Upon arriving at Kelly and Boeta’s home, she found other officers conducting interviews. 

She also learned that on the day of Joshlin’s disappearance, Laurentia Lombaard- who has since turned state witness- was using drugs with the couple.

After taking Lombaard’s statement, Sekhobe discovered another individual had been present that day, Steveno van Rhyn.

When she went to Van Rhyn’s home, she found a crowd of community members questioning him.  

“I met Mr Steveno on 22 February at his premises. He confirmed that he was at Smith and Appollis’ residence on the day Joshlin went missing,” Sekhobe told the court. 

“He also mentioned that Laurentia was there. What he initially recalled was that Laurentia left with Joshlin and later returned alone, but he later admitted he didn’t actually see this happen. That was the last time the child was seen.”  

She added that Van Rhyn appeared emotionally unstable but provided a lead, suggesting that Laurentia’s boyfriend, Ayanda, had allegedly sold Joshlin to a local sangoma.  

Other notable testimonies included that of Namhla Tinzi, Kelly’s neighbour, who recounted events after learning of Joshlin’s disappearance. 

Carlien Zeegers, Kelly’s former employer, described her as a good mother despite struggling through difficult circumstances. 

Family friend Natasha Andrews revealed that she had once wanted to adopt Joshlin, but the process fell through.  

As the trial continues, further testimonies are expected to provide more insight into the events surrounding Joshlin’s disappearance.  

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za 

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