Four suspects linked to the disappearance nearly five months ago of a six-year-old child on the Cape west coast, appeared in the Vredenburg magistrate’s court on Monday.
The girl's mother, Racquel Chantel Smith, known as Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquin "Boeta" Appollis, close friend Steveno van Rhyn, and Lourentia Lombard are facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.
Joslin Smith disappeared from her home in Middlebos informal settlement, Saldanha Bay, on February 19 while under the care of Boeta while her mother was at work.
The court was supposed to receive an update about the investigation, including forensic reports and cellphone records, but the state mentioned that some forensic evidence is still pending.
Kelly is anticipating the arrival of her fourth child.
The case has been postponed to September 16, and the trial will take place at the high court in Cape Town.
