Cape Town - Saldanha Bay residents came out in their numbers as the suspects implicated in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith appeared in court again yesterday.
The missing 6-year-old’s mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith as well as Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court for human trafficking for purposes of exploitation and kidnapping.
They were arrested on March 5, weeks after the Grade 1 learner at Middelpos Primary vanished. Joshlin was left in the care of Appollis the day of her disappearance on February 19.
Smith appeared in court yesterday carrying a baby bump. The case was postponed to September 16 for further investigation. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said there was still evidence outstanding.
“What is outstanding is the forensic report, there was more evidence that came forward which was sent for analysis and we are also attending to administrative matters.
“When we come back we will give the letter to the court telling the court that the case will be moved to the high court. The investigation continues so we may add more charges.
“We are ready for trial and after September 16 we will draft the indictment and summary of facts and hand it over to the accused,” Ntabazalila said.
Joshlin’s father, Jose Emke, said he was unhappy with the postponement.
“I also want to go to the detectives to ask about the progress in the case. It makes me very unhappy when the case is postponed every time. Police never provide information to the family. There is no positive progress, all I hear is that the case is still under investigation. My family went to visit Kelly and she still has not given us the truth about what happened to Joshlin.
She always replies she doesn’t know anything or can’t say anything as she wasn’t there at the time of the disappearance. But I don’t believe Kelly,” said Emke.
The devastated father said being with his younger daughter pains him.
“I can’t really look into my little girl’s face as she is Joshlin’s double, they have the same face. I still believe that Joshlin is alive and that Kelly and her friends must just speak the truth. I believe she has been sold because the mother is on drugs.
“I just hope that this investigation will be successful. Next month, on Joshlin’s birthday, I want to have a small celebration,” he said.
Community members said they were kept out of the loop by the State.
Jeanette Abrahams said: “We know nothing but we went into the bushes and the dunes looking for her. We want answers. We want Joshlin. The case must go to the high court, maybe there they will answer and tell us where our child is.”
Cape Argus