Joshlin Smith trial: ​father ​seeks ​answers

The father of Joshlin Smith, the Saldanha Bay girl who vanished last year, is left with numerous unanswered questions as the trial enters its second week.

Joshlin, six-year-old at the time, vanished from her home in Middelpos, Diazville, on 19 February 2024, sparking a case that has gripped not only the Saldanha Bay community but the entire country.

Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were arrested weeks later and now face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping, to which they have pleaded not guilty.

As the trial unfolds at the Western Cape High Court, harrowing details continue to emerge, painting a complex picture of alleged drug use, inconsistent statements, and crucial forensic evidence.

Some of the testimony that emerged was that of Saldanha SAPS station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Sebola who said Kelly had told him that her daughter’s disappearance made her famous.

Before the proceedings Joshlin’s father José Emke said: “I just want to know why Kelly told the court that my child’s disappearance is making her famous.

“It made me very sad because it is very difficult for me to accept that my child is missing.

“I’m going to be patient and hope to hear what the truth is and that will be more at ease.”

Constable Refilwe Sekhobe, a detective, with six years of service at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences said she was working in Morressberg with Sergeant Meyer Milstein who was on standby that day.

When they drove to Joshlin’s home, they found out that Laurentia Lombaard was present during the disappearance of the six-year-old.

The officer said she took down the statement in Afrikaans.

“She was jittery and she was scratching her arms.”

“I already heard that she was using drugs (from Appollis) and I asked her if she had used.”

The witness is still on the stand.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za