Joshlin Smith trial: Van Rhyn details alleged kidnapping, assault before arrest
Accused number two, Stevano van Rhyn, took the stand on Tuesday to testify in a trial within a trial.
Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn, two of the accused in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, in the Western Cape High Court sitting at the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on 11 April 2025. Picture: Carlo Petersen/EWN
SALDANHA BAY - Another accused in the Joshlin Smith trial has detailed how he was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted before his arrest.
Accused number two, Stevano van Rhyn, took the stand on Tuesday to testify in a trial within a trial.
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Legal teams are arguing for the court to decide confession statements made by Van Rhyn and Jacquen Appollis can be used as evidence in the trial.
Van Rhyn, Appollis, and Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking for the child's disappearance.
Van Rhyn told the court how he was forced into a bakkie by two men he believed were police officers in March 2024.
Van Rhyn said he was taken to Jacobsbaai Beach, where he was handcuffed and assaulted while being asked about Joshlin's disappearance.
“I don't know why they assaulted me, but afterwards it came to me that they were asking me, ‘Where is Joshlin? what did you do with Joshlin?’"
Van Rhyn told the court he was then taken to the Sea Border offices, where he was repeatedly beaten while being questioned about what happened to Joshlin.
The trial within a trial is set to continue on Wednesday.