Joshlin Smith disappearance: Case postponed while NPA awaits forensic results
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith and her three co-accused made another appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court on Monday.
Missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and along with two other suspects - Steveno Van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa - appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates court on 15 July 2024. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says investigators are waiting on forensic results from new evidence obtained in the case related to missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith.
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith and her three co-accused made another appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Monday.
The four are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking after Joshlin disappeared from her family home in Middelpos almost five months ago.
The State has asked the court for more time to complete its investigation after new evidence was found recently.
READ: Saldanha Bay community believes Joshlin Smith is held captive in the area
NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says the state is also still waiting on cellphone data analysis from the phones of the accused.
Ntabazalila adds that the NPA expects the matter to go to trial after the accused reappear in court on 16 September.
"When we come back on the 16th of September we will give the letter to this court to tell this court we will be taking the matter to the high court, so they must be warned that they will be appearing at the high court."
Meanwhile, outside court a group of about 100 Saldanha Bay residents expressed dismay that the case was being delayed again.
Kelly Smith, Jacquen Apollis, Stevano Van Rhyn and Lourencia Lombaard appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court today related to the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. The matter was postponed for further investigation until the 16 September. CP pic.twitter.com/MFiRlP2s6q
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) July 15, 2024