Investigation officer shocked when Kelly Smith told him Joshlin no longer in Saldanha Bay

SALDANHA BAY - The investigating officer in the Joshlin Smith trial on Wednesday told the court he was shocked when Kelly Smith told him that her missing daughter was no longer in Saldanha Bay.

Captain Wesley Lombard took the stand on Wednesday to testify about his investigation into Joshlin's disappearance.

Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn are on trial for kidnapping and human trafficking in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre.

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Lombard testified about the statements he took from co-accused Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, before they were arrested a week after Joshlin went missing.

Lombard told the court what stood out for him in his interview with Appollis was that he never took part in the initial search for Joshlin and admitted he was using drugs with co-accused Van Rhyn while the search ensued.

While questioning Appollis, Lombard said the accused refused to answer when he was questioned about his relationship with Joshlin.

Lombard told the court that while questioning Smith, he was shocked when she told him Joshlin was no longer in Saldanha Bay.

Lombard said that Smith told him she must go on with her life because she had two other children.

He told the court Smith couldn't give him an answer when he asked her how she knew Joshlin was not in Saldanha Bay.