Detective explains why he did not believe Van Rhyn was not involved in Joshlin Smith's disappearance
The detective interrogated the accused before they implicated Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, as the mastermind behind her daughter's disappearance.
Kelly Smith (right), Jaquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on 8 April 2025. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
SALDANHA BAY - Defence attorneys in the Joshlin Smith trial continued questioning a police detective about the alleged torture of two accused in the matter.
The detective interrogated the accused before they implicated Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, as the mastermind behind her daughter's disappearance.
Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre.
Sergeant Dawid Fortuin on Tuesday denied being present when Van Rhyn was allegedly beaten so badly he could not control his bladder.
Defence attorney Nobahle Mkabayi told the court that Van Rhyn repeatedly told Fortuin that he was not involved in Joshlin's disappearance.
Mkabayi asked Fortuin why he did not believe her client.
"My lord, like I said, initially the accused informed me that he's not aware of the disappearance."
Fortuin said that Van Rhyn then later admitted that he knew something.
"He later said 'ask Kelly' and then he later made mention of the lady named Maka Lima."
The detective said that Van Rhyn's answers made him doubt whether the accused was not involved.