Joshlin Smith trial: Detective grilled on details of confession statement from Van Rhyn
Appollis and Van Rhyn claim they were tortured by police to admit their involvement in the child'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 07 April 2025. Picture: Kayleen Morgan /EWN
SALDANHA BAY - The Joshlin Smith trial resumed on Wednesday with the spotlight on confession statements made by Jacquen Appollis and Stevano Van Rhyn.
Appollis and Van Rhyn claim they were tortured by police to admit their involvement in the child's disappearance.
Appollis, Van Rhyn and Smith are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Multi-Purpose Centre.
Police detective Captain Philip Seekoei faced tough questions on Wednesday from defence attorney Nobahle Mkabayi, who represents Van Rhyn.
Mkabayi used video footage of Seekoei taking the accused's confession statement in March last year to question the detective about why he continued when it was apparent that her client was injured and exhausted.
The footage showed Van Rhyn limping into the meeting room in handcuffs before sitting down.
Seekoei can later be seen writing down the statement while Van Rhyn appears to be sleeping.
Seekoei told the court that he did not notice the accused's eyes were closed while he was taking the statement.
Mkabayi will continue cross-examining the detective when the trial resumes on Thursday.