The four accused in the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith from Saldanha Bay have returned to the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court after nearly a month. Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen 'Boeta' Appolis, Stevano van Rhyn, and Lourentia Lombaard have been charged with trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping. The group all abandoned their bail and were remanded in custody. The court is expected to hear how far the investigation has progressed and whether outstanding statements, affidavits, and analyses have been completed.
At the previous court appearance, angry residents clashed with police, demanding answers from the accused. A suspect was arrested after a confession, and it is believed that Joshlin was sold to a woman for around R20,000. Police are yet to confirm this information, and court proceedings may reveal what really happened to Joshlin.
At the time of Joshlin's disappearance, Smith told police that she had looked for the child but could not find her. She later got hold of her boyfriend, Appolis, who was supposed to look after Joshlin, but he could not account for her whereabouts. Joshlin was last seen wearing a light blue T-shirt and light blue denim shorts, and she has a birthmark on her left arm.
