Mother said Joshlin left Saldanha Bay – detective

The detective investigating the disappearance of Joshlin Smith claimed her 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.

Her mother Kelly, boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and friends Steveno “ স্টিffiе” Van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombard were arrested for kidnapping and human trafficking. The state withdrew the charges against Lombard after she became a state witness. Lombard detailed what had happened when he met with Kelly 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”.