Accused in Joslin Smith case abandon bail bid
The accused in the Joslin Smith disappearance case abandoned their bail application during a brief appearance in the dock on Wednesday.
The four accused appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court.
The court withdrew charges against Phumza Sigaqa, who was accused of being a sangoma after no evidence could be found of her alleged involvement.
She was charged alongside Joslin’s mother, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin "Boeta" Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn.
They were charged with human trafficking and kidnapping after alleged confessions that they sold Joslin for R20,000 for muti.
The case was postponed to 13 May for further investigation and for cellphone data to be obtained.
Outside court, protesting West Coast residents accused the police of being passive and uninterested during the search for little Joslin Smith.
The crowd clashed with police outside the court building, injuring at least one police officer.
-Police attacks-
Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile warned that those who are responsible for the chaos that erupted outside court will face the might of the law.
He said any attacks on police would not be tolerated.
"I have directed that we will study these videos with the purpose of making arrests. We have opened a case of public violence, and whoever was responsible, we will follow that,” Patekile told the media outside court.
He said arrangements would be made with the National Prosecuting Authority to move the case to a bigger courtroom.
"It gives us another opportunity to look at whether it is really fine to come to a small place like this; we understand the people's anger.
"We will speak to the NPA to see if there cannot be any other way to make sure that appearance is still done but in a very coordinated way than what we're seeing today.”
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