Joshlin Smith trial: Closing arguments to continue
Joshlin, who disappeared from Saldanha Bay when she was six years old, has been missing since February last year.
Joshlin’s Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, alongside her two co-accused, Stevano van Rhyn and Jacquen Appollis, appears before the Western Cape High Court sitting at the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose centre on 6 March 2025. Picture: Carlo Petersen/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Lawyers for co-accused Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith will present their final arguments when the Joshlin Smith trial resumes on Wednesday.
Joshlin, who disappeared from Saldanha Bay when she was six years old, has been missing since February last year.
The missing child's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are on trial for her disappearance.
READ: Joshlin Smith trial: Defence asks why prosecutors relied on 2 different versions against accused
Defence attorney Nobahla Mkabayi will present final arguments for her client van Rhyn, to be found not guilty.
Once Mkabayi completes her arguments, lawyer for Kelly Smith, Rinesh Sivnarain, will argue for his client's freedom.
Defense attorney Fanie Harmse, who represents accused number one Appollis wrapped up his final arguments on Tuesday.
READ: Joshlin Smith's mom opts not to testify after judge dismisses application for charges to be dropped
Harmse slammed the state for using two mutually exclusive versions as evidence against the accused.
"The 204 statement evidence and the extra cural statement by accused number one are two mutually exclusive versions. They can't both be true."
Presiding judge Nathan Erasmus aims to make a ruling on Friday.