As the trial of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith enters its seventh day, new witnesses from the Saldanha Bay community are set to testify about their experiences following 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.
Key Testimonies in Court
On Monday, four witnesses—including a detective and community members—took the stand. Constable Refilwe Sekhobe testified about taking initial statements and detailed 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 revealed that on the day of Joshlin’s disappearance, Laurentia Lombaard—who has since turned state witness—was using drugs with the couple. After obtaining Lombaard’s statement, Sekhobe learned that another individual, Steveno van Rhyn, had also been present.
Crucial Lead and Allegations
When Sekhobe visited Van Rhyn’s home on 22 February, she encountered a crowd of community members questioning him.
“I met Mr Van Rhyn at his residence. He confirmed that he was at Smith and Appollis’ home on the day Joshlin went missing,” Sekhobe told the court.
“He initially claimed that Laurentia left with Joshlin and later returned alone, but later admitted he hadn’t actually witnessed this.”
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.
More Witnesses Provide Insights
Several other witnesses also testified:
- Namhla Tinzi, Kelly’s neighbour, recounted the community’s reaction after learning of Joshlin’s disappearance.
- Carlien Zeegers, Kelly’s former employer, described her as a good mother who faced difficult circumstances.
- Natasha Andrews, a family friend, revealed that she had once wanted to adopt Joshlin, but the process fell through.
What’s Next?
As the trial progresses, more testimonies are expected to shed light on Joshlin’s disappearance and the events surrounding it.