Joshlin Smith's mother a lonely figure in dock during pre-trial hearing appearance
Joshlin has been missing for 11 months since her mother, Kelly Smith, allegedly sold her to an unknown woman near their Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay.
Missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith's mother, Kelly Smith, in the Western Cape High Court for a pre-trial hearing on 29 February 2025. Picture: Carlo Petersen/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith's mother, Kelly Smith, cut a lonely figure in the dock when she appeared in the Western Cape High Court for a pre-trial hearing on Friday.
Joshlin has been missing for 11 months since her mother allegedly sold her to an unknown woman near their Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay.
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National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said Smith's co-accused, Jacquen Appolis and Stevano van Rhyn, failed to appear in court due to a clerical issue.
Ntabazalila said the two accused are still being held at Malmesbury Prison despite a request for them to be transferred to Cape Town.
"We will ensure when we come back on the 28th [of February] that all three accused are present in court so that we can start with the pre-trial with all of them being present. It also gives an opportunity for the lawyers who have just been appointed to consult with their clients."
The State has also confirmed the case will be transferred to a venue in Saldanha Bay to give the community easier access to the trial.