Investigating officer in Joshlin Smith case to be cross-examined by defence

SALDANHA BAY - The investigating officer in the Joshlin Smith case is set to be cross-examined by defence attorneys for the accused on Friday.  

Anti-kidnapping unit detective Captain Wesley Lombard ended his testimony in the trial on Thursday by sharing details of the events that led to Kelly Smith's eventual arrest.  

ALSO READ:

- Court hears how investigator in Joshlin Smith case ended up charging Kelly Smith for kidnapping

- Joshlin Smith trial adjourned for 2 hours for accused Kelly Smith to receive medical treatment

- Investigating officer highlights ‘red flags’ identified with accused after Joshlin Smith disappearance

Smith and her co-accused, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn, are on trial for kidnapping and human trafficking related to Joshlin's disappearance.  

Lombard on Thursday detailed how his investigation led to the eventual arrests of Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn.  

Lombard said he became suspicious of Smith and Appollis because their statements to police were inconsistent, and Smith did not behave like a mother who had lost her child.  

The captain also singled out prominent politician Gayton McKenzie and certain social media influencers for possibly compromising police's investigation into the child's disappearance.  

At the time, McKenzie, who later became minister of sports, arts and culture, used his social media profile to update the public about his party's own search for the missing girl.  

Lombard told the court the public were given false information that police had called off the search for Joshlin, which made it difficult for detectives to obtain information and new leads related to the case.