Joshlin Smith case | Police studying footage on violence against constable to make arrests

CAPE TOWN - The police have opened a case of public violence after a constable was pelted with stones outside the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Public order police used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse an angry crowd who tried to force their way into the court where missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, and three other suspects appeared. 

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Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking related to the disappearance of Joshlin, who has now been missing for over 20 days after disappearing from her family home in Saldanha Bay.

Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said footage of the chaos that ensued outside the court would be analysed to find the perpetrators who injured the constable.

"What we cannot accept is when people, unprovoked by police, they start attacking the police. I have directed that we will study those videos with the purpose of making arrests."

Meanwhile, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila clarified why charges were withdrawn against one of the accused.

"Charges were withdrawn against accused four Phumza Sigaqa as, at this stage, there is no evidence against her, but we want to emphasise that, at this stage, there is no evidence linking her, but the investigation is still continuing."

Ntabazalila said the State requested for the case to be postponed for further investigation after fresh information emerged about the whereabouts of Joshlin.

He added that investigators were still conducting data analysis of cell phones of the accused.