[imagesource:SAPS]

It has now been seven months since six-year-old Joshlin Smith went missing from Diazville, Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.

The case against the four suspects charged with her disappearance, including her mother, will only move to the Western Cape High Court in October as new evidence has emerged.

Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, her stepfather, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and close friends Steveno van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombard face charges of trafficking in persons with the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping.

Smith reported her daughter’s disappearance from their home in Saldanha Bay on February 19, telling police she left the child in the care of Appollis when she went to work.

The four accused have made numerous appearances at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court and also abandoned their bail applications. During their last court appearance in July, Magistrate Yolisa Sikhoyo postponed the hearing to continue the investigations, per Jacaranda FM.

“Due to the amount of the investigation that is still outstanding, your matter is going to be postponed again to give the state an opportunity to complete its investigation,” he said.

The matter was expected to have moved to the Western Cape High Court by now, but following the brief appearance on Monday, National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in the Western Cape Eric Ntabazalila said there is new evidence that has come to light and the investigation is at a sensitive stage, reported SA People.

“Between the last appearance and today, there is new evidence that has come to light, and we are obligated to follow that evidence and that investigation is taking place as we speak. It is at a sensitive stage and we can’t be speaking about it, so we have asked the court to postpone it, so that the police can continue with that investigation,” said Ntabazalila.

The accused will remain in custody.

Kidnapping and Human Trafficking accused Kelly Smith and her co-accused appeared in Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court this morning for the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. The case has been postponed until 21 October for further investigation. CP pic.twitter.com/VjNf9cteeN

— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) September 16, 2024

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said during the court appearance in July that these perpetual delays in the case only prolong the family’s suffering and hinder the closure they deserve.

The EFF condemned the disappearance of a child as a heinous crime that strikes at the very heart of any society. They called for swift legal action to deliver timely justice for Joslin Smith, ensuring that no more harm comes to the vulnerable and that such tragedies never repeat.

This might be one of those few times we all agree with the EFF.

[sources:sapeople&jacarandafm&smilefm]