Joshlin Smith trial: Appollis and Van Rhyn set to testify over confession statements
Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn are expected to testify on Friday in a trial within a trial for the court to decide whether confession statements made by the accused are permissible as evidence.
Accused in Joshlin Smith case, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn on Tuesday, 11 March 2025. Picture: Carlo Petersen/Eyewitness News
SALDANHA BAY - Two of the three accused in the Joshlin Smith trial are set to take the stand on Friday to testify in a trial within a trial.
Legal teams spent the past two weeks arguing for the court to decide whether confession statements made by the accused can be used as evidence in the trial.
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, and her co-accused, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn, are on trial for kidnapping and human trafficking related to the child's disappearance.
Appollis and Van Rhyn are expected to testify on Friday in a trial within a trial for the court to decide whether confession statements made by the accused are permissible as evidence.
Appollis and Van Rhyn made the statements after being interrogated by police at the Sea Border offices in Saldanha Bay in March last year.
The State is determined to use the statements as evidence against the accused.
However, lawyers for the accused argue the statements were made under duress after the accused were allegedly tortured to admit their involvement in Joshlin's disappearance.
Appollis and Van Rhyn are expected to answer questions related to the allegations.