The four suspects accused in the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith returned to the dock at Vredenburg Magistrates Court, on Monday.
Joshlin Smith latest news: Here are three new developments in the car
Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, the disgraced mother of Joshlin, maintained her remorseless posture, albeit a little winded from her late gestation.
She stood stoic, sandwiched between her co-accused, Lorentia Lombaard and Steveno van Rhyn, with her romantic partner, and possibly the soon-to-be father Jacquen Appollis, on the other end.
When proceedings finally commenced, several new developments surfaced from the prosecutor’s bench.
Here are the latest updates in the Joshlin Smith case:
The State needs more time to collect forensic analysis reports
State prosecutors were granted a postponement in proceedings, to allow time for investigators to receive reports on forensic evidence.
While the State was careful to not share details about the nature of the forensic evidence, public prosecutors did confirm that several items crucial to the case against Appollis and others have been submitted to forensic labs and the results have yet to be furnished.
“As this court is aware, investigations are ongoing and in that regard, as forensic evidence is obtained, same is being referred for analysis. So, further forensic analysis is outstanding or reports in respect of that is outstanding,” prosecutors told the court.
The case will be transferred to a High Court
The State also brought up an administrative snag as another reason for postponement. According to prosecutors, due to the nature of the case, the matter will have to be transferred to a High Court, and the necessary documents that accompany this process are still outstanding.
“This matter will be tried in the High Court and on the next occasion we will furnish this court with the first letter indicating its transfer,” the State explained.
The next court date has been confirmed
Racquel and her co-accused will return to court on 16 September 2024, to formally kick off the case transfer.
Smith has been missing since 19 February 2024. Initial reports from Racquel Smith and Jaquen Appollis placed the six-year-old playing outside her home until she vanished mysteriously around 14:00 that day.
The disappearance triggered an extensive search, including an international effort following a tip that led authorities to search a Panamanian ship, Frontier Asuka, which departed from Saldanha Bay shortly after Joshlin’s disappearance.
The ship was searched thoroughly at Port Talbot in Wales on 16 and 17 March 2024, but no evidence of Joshlin was found.
With each day that passes, hopes of Joshlin Smith being found alive have diminished, albeit, authorities have, at this juncture, not included homicide in their investigations.
