The trial of Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn, accused of the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, is set to enter its fifth day with mounting tensions and crucial testimony expected from a lead investigator.
What to expect from the Joshlin Smith trial on Day 5
The case, being heard at a makeshift Western Cape High Court in White City Multipurpose Centre, has seen dramatic developments, including a court-ordered site visit and explosive witness statements.
On Day 4, the court heard from Colonel Lyndon Sebola, the Saldanha Bay station commander, who detailed the police’s search efforts in the critical days after Joshlin went missing.
Sebola’s observations of Kelly Smith’s behaviour during the investigation became a focal point, particularly his claim that Kelly expressed excitement about the media attention, allegedly saying, “My child has made me famous.”
His testimony also covered the logistical challenges police faced, including dead-end leads, public unrest, and the involvement of sniffer dogs at key locations.
The trial then took a dramatic turn with a court-led site inspection that saw the accused face public backlash from community members, who chanted for justice.
As Day 5 begins, the focus shifts to the detective work that built the State’s case.
Detective Sergeant Meyer Milstein, an officer from the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, is currently on the stand.
His testimony is expected to shed light on the investigation’s key findings, particularly in relation to suspicions of human trafficking and the alleged involvement of a drug dealer known only as ‘Gums’.
So far, Milstein has revealed that:
- Investigators initially pursued a theory that Joshlin was kidnapped by a man named Ayanda, believed to be Lourentia Lombaard’s partner, and possibly sold for muti-related purposes.
- Police searched Ayanda and Lombaard’s home on Friday, 23 February 2024, but found no trace of Joshlin.
- During interviews with Kelly Smith and Jacquen Appollis, detectives discovered they were tik users and determined their regular drug supplier operated from a house in Ryland Street.
- A search warrant was obtained, and police searched the suspected drug den, but Joshlin was not found.
- The house belonged to a man only identified as ‘Gums’.
- Detectives noted inconsistencies in the accounts given by Smith, Appollis, and Lombaard, making it difficult to piece together an accurate timeline.
- Shortly after the investigation began, Appollis moved in with his parents, while Smith stayed with a family member at an address police could locate her if needed.
As the trial continues, attention will also be drawn to Lourentia Lombaard, the State’s key witness who was initially charged but later granted immunity in exchange for her testimony.
Steveno van Rhyn maintains that Lombaard was the last person he saw with Joshlin, raising questions about her role in the case.
The court is expected to examine the strength of the police investigation and whether the prosecution can prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.
With more witnesses set to take the stand, the public remains eager for answers in Joshlin’s unexplained disappearance.
How to watch the Joshlin Smith trial live in South Africa
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