The detective investigating the disappearance of Joshlin Smith had to pause his evidence as the rest will be part of the trial within the trial.
Captain Wesley Lombard detailed the events leading up to the arrest of the six-year-old’s mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn.
Testifying at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the White City Multipurpose Centre, Diazville, Saldanha Bay, he said that after learning about the three accused, he called them to their Sea Border offices for an interview.
This took place on March 4, 2024, weeks after Joshlin went missing on February 19 from her Middelpos home.
Lombard said on the day, a large-scale search operation was conducted, involving 380 members, including uniformed police, detectives from multiple stations, the FCS unit, AGU, and City of Cape Town officials.
The search lasted the entire day but yielded no significant findings.
“That evening, plans were made to interview Kelly, Boeta, and Steveno. At that stage, another suspect, Lourentia ‘Renz’ Lombaard had already left Langebaan for Cape Town.
“The decision was made to separate the three individuals and conduct interviews. Steveno’s statement had already been taken, but he would be questioned again later.”
He further testified that while finalising the plan, a man named Owen approached the police in the parking area, claiming to have information that could help locate Joshlin.
“He revealed that he had known Kelly from the past and spoke about a man who had once asked him for assistance in finding a white girl between the ages of six and 17.
“Owen believed this man was a sangoma who worked for the South African Navy. He led the police to the man’s house in Saldanha Bay, stating that the neighbour might have access to it.
“Crime Intelligence officers were sent to conduct surveillance on the house before any action was taken.
“Around 8pm, the team set out to investigate while Kelly remained at the office. She did not ask where they were going but repeatedly requested to see Boeta. Despite being denied access to him, she persisted.”
Lombard said the police spent an hour and a half at the house.
“It was empty, but the neighbour unlocked it for them. No evidence was found, and the team returned to the office before 10pm. At that point, interviews resumed.”
During questioning, Boeta and Steveno unexpectedly urged the police to ask Kelly about Joshlin because she knew what happened.
“When confronted with the statements made against her, she reacted with outrage, shouting insults directed at Boeta and Steveno.
“She repeatedly expressed disbelief that Boeta had implicated her, stating that she had trusted and loved him.
“Her anger escalated, and she lashed out at the officers, swearing and shouting before breaking down in tears.
“At one point, she exclaimed, 'What must I do? The child is gone'.”
Boeta and Steveno then pointed to a woman who was involved.
“When pressed for more information, they both referred to the same person as being involved. This prompted an immediate response, and officers mobilised to locate this individual.
“The house in question was easy to find. The police arrived after 10pm and requested to search the premises.
“The operation lasted for about three hours as forensic teams and the K-9 unit processed the scene.
“The woman and her family were taken to Sea Border offices for further questioning. As this unfolded, more and more community members gathered outside, adding to the growing tension.”
The woman was questioned in the boardroom at the office while Boeta and Steveno were placed in separate rooms.
Around 4am on March 5, all the suspects were charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.
Earlier on Thursday, Lombard detailed how misinformation and social media activity disrupted the investigation into Joshlin’s disappearance.
He also testified that early leads suggested Kelly may have been involved in prostitution. They investigated if there were any links to the disappearance of Joshlin, but this proved to be a dead end.
The police then followed another lead regarding drug use, speaking to a dealer named Gums who admitted selling drugs to the accused, but this line of inquiry also led nowhere.
The trial continues on Friday. Defence counsel is expected to cross-examine the detective, and then the trial within the trial will commence.
Weekend Argus