The highly anticipated Joshlin Smith trial resumes today as the Western Cape High Court, sitting in White City Multipurpose Centre, Saldanha Bay, enters Day 6 of proceedings.
What to expect from the Joshlin Smith trial on Day 6
The case against Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn, accused of complicity in the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, has so far centred on contradictory witness statements, alleged police torture, and unverified suspicions of muti-related crimes./h
On Friday, 8 March 2025, Detective Sergeant Meyer Milstein from the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit testified about the extensive police efforts to locate Joshlin in the days following her disappearance.
Milstein detailed how authorities pursued multiple leads, including a tip-off implicating “Ayanda” and Lourentia Lombaard, the latter of whom initially faced charges before securing immunity as a state witness.
The detective confirmed that searches were conducted at Ayanda’s home on 23 February 2024, but no trace of Joshlin was found.
Investigators also raided a known drug den on Ryland Street, where Smith and Appollis allegedly purchased crystal meth (tik). However, the search yielded no clues regarding the child’s whereabouts.
Cross-examinations on Day 5 focused on:
- The lack of consistency in statements made by Smith, Appollis, and Lombaard.
- Whether police pressured suspects or mishandled translations of statements.
- Smith’s behaviour in the aftermath of her daughter’s disappearance.
Milstein maintained that Kelly Smith showed no visible emotion, leading to further questions about her mental state. Her legal counsel suggested antidepressants may have affected her demeanour, but Milstein stated that he was only aware of her crystal meth use.
As the trial resumes, the court is expected to introduce new witness testimony, potentially shifting focus toward the events leading up to Joshlin’s disappearance.
How to watch the Joshlin Smith trial live in South Africa
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