Captain Wesley Lombaard, part of the Western Cape Organised Crime Unit’s Anti-Kidnapping Investigation Team, took the stand after lunch.
Lombaard testified at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the White City Multipurpose Centre, Diazville, Saldanha Bay, that he became aware of Joshlin Smith’s disappearance on February 20, 2024, the day after she vanished from her Middelpos home.
The girl’s mom Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and friends Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard were arrested the following month. Lombaard turned state witness.
After making inquiries, he contacted a colleague who informed him that the Family Violence, Child Protection, and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS) in Vredenburg was handling the case.
“I asked for the number of the investigating officer and was told it was Sergeant Meyer Milstein.”
Lombaard further stated that he interviewed Kelly and her boyfriend a week after Joshlin went missing.
“When I arrived, I looked through the file. Kelly appeared restless, pacing up and down. I couldn’t hear what she was saying to Boeta, but based on her facial expressions, it seemed serious. I decided to approach them.”
He introduced himself and explained that he was there to interview them. “Kelly responded that she was tired of repeating the same thing in every interview.
“I said, ‘Today, no one is going to swear, no one is going to scream at anyone.’ I had been informed that when she was at the police station, she was very rude, swearing and shouting, so I assured her that wouldn’t happen.”
Lombaard told them he would speak to them individually and started with Boeta.
“Just before we entered the office, Kelly said she was going outside to smoke. I closed the door and began speaking with Boeta. Initially, the conversation was superficial—we discussed his background and relationship with Kelly.”
When Lombaard asked about the events of the weekend, Boeta said the police had arrived at their home after someone reported that he had stolen chickens.
“He claimed he did not know about the incident. He also mentioned someone asking about a pair of takkies. I recall that he left with an officer in a bakkie parked near a canal close to his home.”
Boeta then spoke about Sunday.
“He said that his friends Steveno, Renz, and Nielo visited his house, and they usually used drugs together.” Lombaard noted that Boeta downplayed his answers.
“I could see he didn’t want to share details about an argument he had with Kelly on Sunday night. He became uncomfortable.
“I asked him about his relationship with Joshlin. He struggled to answer. I pointed out that since he was living with Kelly and the kids, he must have been a father figure to them.”
Boeta still failed to give a clear response. “I told him that if anything had happened to Joshlin—if there had been an accident—he could tell me. I reassured him that if he wanted to talk, he was free to do so.”