By: Natasha Archary
The case against four people accused of kidnapping and human trafficking 6-year old Joslin Smith has been postponed to 13 May.
On Wednesday, 13 March Joslin’s mother Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, Steveno Dumaizio van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa made their second appearance at the Vredenburg Magistrates Court.
The State dropped charges against Phumza Sigaqa, and requested that the matter be postponed until 13 May to allow for further investigations.
As investigations into the case are still in its early stages, the State is still awaiting cellphone data analysis.
Information as to where Joslin may be is being followed up on and she still has not been found.
Smith, Appollis and van Rhyn have abandoned bail and will remain in custody until the matter reconvenes in court.
Ahead of the court proceedings angry community members in Saldanha Bay clashed with police outside the Vredenburg Magistrates Court.
Barbed wire barricades have barred community members who showed up at the court in large numbers from getting close to the court.
Police fired stun grenades to disperse rowdy crowds outside the Vredenburg Magistrates Court who demanded that community representatives be allowed inside the court precinct to follow court proceedings.
Kelly Smith and her boyfriend are Tik users (crystal meth) and it is alleged that the pair sold the child for R20 000.
On 02 March, blood-stained clothing believed to be that of Joslin’s was found a few kilometres from the Diazville informal settlement that Joslin is said to have gone missing from.
Also read: Community clash with police outside Joslin Smith court proceedings
