WHAT THE VAAK?

Van Rhyn ‘was sleeping’ when police drukked him for his Joshlin ‘confession’

- BY MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

STEVENO van Rhyn’s lawyer told the Western Cape High Court on Thursday that her client was sleeping when police read him his rights before taking his confession.

Nobahle Mkabayi made the claim during the trial-within-a-trial, which is probing whether statements made by the accused were obtained freely and voluntarily or as a result of coercion.

Joshlin Smith, 6, went missing on 19 February 2024, from Middelpos, Saldanha Bay.

Her mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend Van Rhyn are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking and are standing trial in the Western Cape High Court, sitting at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville.