Joshlin Smith trial: State accuses Van Rhyn of embellishing his testimony

CAPE TOWN - The State has accused one of the men implicated in Joshlin Smith's disappearance of embellishing his version of events related to allegedly being tortured before his arrest.

Legal teams are set to conclude arguments for the court to decide whether confession statements made by Steveno van Rhyn and co-accused Jacquen Appollis can be used as evidence in the trial.

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Van Rhyn and Appollis claim they were victims of police torture to admit their role in the child's disappearance in 2024.

Prosecutor Zelda Swanepoel grilled Van Rhyn on Thursday about contradictions in his testimony and plea explanation related to the alleged torture.

Swanepoel started by asking Van Rhyn why he testified that he was asked to remove his T-shirt and shoes. In his plea, he didn't mention taking off his shoes.

The prosecutor also asked Van Rhyn why he testified that only one police officer was present when he went for a medical examination after the alleged torture, but in his plea, he stated there were two officers.

Van Rhyn was also questioned about why, in his plea explanation, he failed to mention a "wood bag" was placed over his head while he was allegedly being tortured.

"I'm just pointing this out to you, sir. We will argue that you are adjusting your testimony and your version as you go along."

"That's not correct," Van Rhyn replied.

Judge Nathan Erasmus will hear final arguments in the trial-within-a-trial before he rules on the admissibility of the confession statements.