Missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, has been charged with human trafficking and kidnapping in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Joshlin disappeared from her family home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, where she was left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis.
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Smith, Appollis, and two other suspects, Steveno Van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa, appeared in court and were all charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance.
Outside the courtroom, hundreds of people gathered, wielding placards in support of justice for the missing girl. The police have intensified the search for Joshlin as new details about her possible whereabouts have emerged.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila stated that the state is still gathering evidence against the accused, who have been remanded in custody.
“The investigation is still continuing, and it is at a sensitive stage. That’s what the prosecutor said…like I said, more charges are likely to be added, and more suspects are likely to be added to the docket,” Ntabazalila explained.
The court has postponed the matter to 13 March for the accused to make a bail application.
