Cape Town – A lot of eyebrows were raised in disbelief last week when angry residents of Diazville in Saldanha Bay chased after Kelly Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, whom they accused of being behind the disappearance of 6-year-old Joshlin Smith.
The drama ended with the pair of lovers being taken to a place of safety by the police, which later turned out to be the local police station.
Joshlin – who has two siblings – went missing last month on 19 February 2024.
Her mother, Racquel Chantel Smith, known as Kelly, claimed Joshlin was left in the care of boyfriend Appollis when she went missing from their Diazville home in Saldanha Bay, in the Western Cape.
The more than two-week search has intensified, but Joshlin remains missing.
Distraught, 34-year-old Jose Emke, the father of the missing Grade 1 learner, travelled from the Northern Cape to Saldanha Bay to help with the search.
However, this week on Wednesday, police said they had arrested four individuals in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance.
RELATED: Western Cape Police Question 4 Individuals Over Missing 6-Year-Old Joshlin Smith – The Bulrushes
Today, Thursday (7 March 2024), Joshlin’s mother Kelly, her boyfriend Appollis, and two others – Steveno van Rhyn and alleged Sangoma Phumza Sigaqa – were hurled before the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the court in the morning.
The accused were charged with trafficking in persons and kidnapping before they were remanded in custody.
The case has been postponed to Wednesday, (13 March 2024), when the accused are expected to apply for bail.
Western Cape Provincial Commissioner Thembisile Patekile attended the court proceedings.
Police Minister General Bheki Cele Meets Parents Of Missing 6-Year-Old Joshlin Smith – The Bulrushes
