The month-long ordeal persists for the Saldanha community as the whereabouts of 6-year-old Joslin Smith remain unknown following her disappearance on 19 February.
Four people accused in the disappearance of Joslin Smith arrived at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court shortly after 10:00 on Wednesday, 13 March, facing charges of kidnapping and trafficking.
The state had previously stated that it would oppose bail; however, the four accused, including Joslin’s mother, Kelly Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, abandoned their bid for bail.
The other two suspects have been identified as Steveno van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqa and are facing similar charges of kidnapping and trafficking for exploitation.
A large crowd of community members from Saldanha gathered as four people appeared before the court, with many chanting outside, demanding justice for Joslin. A large police presence was stationed outside the court, with Police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie stating the police action was to control the crowd trying to get into the courtroom.
After a two-week search, which involved collaborative efforts between Saldanha community volunteers, the South African Navy, and the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the area surrounding the settlement of shacks where Joslin lived, little progress was made.
Concerns escalated after suspicions emerged that Joslin might have been trafficked for a sum of R20,000. During court proceedings, it was alleged that Kelly Smith instructed Appolis and Van Rhyn to sell Joslin to another individual for muti, a traditional medicine.
The alleged confession was made during a 36-hour interrogation at the Saldanha Police Station.
However, the case took a new turn as charges against one of the accused, Phumza Sigaqa, were withdrawn due to a lack of evidence supporting the allegations of her involvement as a sangoma.
The case has been postponed until 13 May 2024 for further investigation and obtaining cell phone data.
