Joshlin's mom never followed up, says detective

THE detective investigating the disappearance of Joshlin Smith revealed that the child's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, claimed her daughter was no longer in Saldanha Bay just a week after she went missing.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

Detective Captain Wesley Lombard testified at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay yesterday. He said he took over the case a week after the six-year-old was reported missing. Joshlin was last seen on 19 February, 2024, at her Middelpos home.

Smith, boyfriend Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis and friends Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard were arrested for kidnapping and human trafficking. The state withdrew the charges against Lombaard after she became a state witness.

Lombard detailed what happened when he met with Smith and her boyfriend.

"Kelly appeared restless, pacing up and down.

I couldn't hear what she was saying to Boeta, but based on her facial expressions, it seemed serious.

I decided to approach them." Lombard introduced himself and explained that he was there to interview them.

"Kelly responded that she was tired of repeating the same thing in every interview. She said "Today, no one is going to swear, no one is going to scream at anyone'.