Case against Joslin Smith accused postponed to October
The case against the four accused in the disappearance of six-year-old Joslin Smith case has been postponed to October for further investigations.
Joslin's mother, Chantal Smith, her boyfriend, Jacques Rowhan Appolis, Steveno van Rhyn and Lorentia Lombard briefly appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday.
They are facing charges of trafficking in persons with the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping.
Little Joshlin Smith went missing from her house in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay nearly seven months ago.
Magistrate Theresa Postma said she was postponing the case for the final time.
“This matter is being remanded to the 21st of October for further investigation. I am marking it as final for that purpose. You will all be kept in custody until then.”
Speaking to SABC News, NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said the State had asked for a postponement due to new information.
“We will be coming back on the 21st, hoping that we will be able between now and then to come up with something on the new evidence. There’s no possibility of new suspects”.
“I’ve spoken with the investigating officer, and he tells me that investigations are ongoing and that he is hoping to find the girl alive. But the appeal is for people to come forward with any genuine information they have.”
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