Crime
Senzo Meyiwa trial watch: Here’s what happened on Monday, 5 May 2025
The Senzo Meyiwa trial session focused on logistical updates, outstanding cross-examinations, and defence requests for key vehicle tracking data.
Crime
WC High Court finds Kelly Smith and co-accused guilty in Joshlin Smith trial
All three accused in the Joshlin Smith case have been found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking the missing six-year-old by the Western Cape High Court.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 36, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
Judge Erasmus is expected to deliver judgment today in the Joshlin Smith case, with the focus on whether the court finds the accused guilty of kidnapping and trafficking.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 36, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-36-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 35
Day 35 of the Joshlin Smith trial concluded closing arguments from all defence lawyers and the State, with Judge Erasmus confirming judgment will be handed down on Friday.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 35, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
The Joshlin Smith trial continues with closing arguments from the defence, as the court moves closer to delivering judgment on the fate of the accused.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 35, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-35-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 34
Day 34 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw the State close its case with detailed arguments supporting convictions for human trafficking and kidnapping, while Jacquen Appollis’s lawyer launched a strained attack on the credibility of key witness Lourentia Lombaard.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 34, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
The Joshlin Smith trial enters its final stretch today as the court prepares to hear closing arguments from both the State and defence.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 34, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-33-1-768x512.jpg)
News
Western Cape court suspends VAT hike: Here’s what it means
The Western Cape High Court has suspended the VAT hike until Parliament formally reverses it, giving the DA a major legal victory over Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana’s original plan.
Crime
Free State asbestos case: Moroadi Cholota matter goes to trial-within-a-trial
The Free State High Court has ruled in favour of Moroadi Cholota’s plea for a trial-within-a-trial, raising legal questions about her extradition and liability in the R255 million asbestos case.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 33
Day 33 of the Joshlin Smith trial featured video evidence from social media, Phumza Sigaqa’s withdrawal as a state witness, and the defence officially closing its case without presenting any witnesses.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 33, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
The court is expected to hear from Sgt Sangozi, who will explain why Phumza Sigaqa was withdrawn as a state witness.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 33, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-33-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 32
Day 32 of the Joshlin Smith trial featured the continuation of DNA-related testimony from Captain Wesley Lombard, the formal withdrawal of Phumza Sigaqa as a state witness, and the admission of key warning statements and confession transcripts into evidence.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 32, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
The Joshlin Smith trial resumes today as the court expects the State to present its roadmap for the main trial following the judge’s ruling on the admissibility of statements by two accused.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 32, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day32-768x512.jpg)
Cape Town Buzz
Court halts further work on luxury Stellenbosch mountain estate
Botsmaskop development stopped, pending a full court review
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial: Judge rules Jacquen and Steveno confessions admissible in main trial
The judge ruled that the out-of-court statements made by Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are admissible in the Joshlin Smith trial.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 31, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
Final arguments in the trial-within-a-trial are expected as the court decides whether Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn’s alleged confessions were made voluntarily.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 31, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-31-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 30
Day 30 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw continued cross-examination of Steveno van Rhyn, with the state and judge scrutinising his version of alleged police torture and forced confession.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 30, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
The Joshlin Smith trial continues on Day 30 with further cross-examination of Steveno van Rhyn as the court weighs the admissibility of his contested confession.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 30, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-30-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 29
Day 29 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn offer starkly different accounts of police abuse and confession fabrication during their testimony in the trial-within-a-trial.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 29, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
The Joshlin Smith trial continues today with Jacquen Appollis expected to face further cross-examination as the state challenges the credibility of his shifting testimony.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 29, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-29-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 28
Day 28 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw Jacquen Appollis take the stand to challenge his alleged confession, but under cross-examination, inconsistencies in his testimony were exposed by the State and the presiding judge.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 28, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
Judge Erasmus is expected to hear final arguments today on whether the accused’s confessions will be admitted as evidence in the main trial.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 28, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-28-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 27
Day 27 of the Joshlin Smith trial featured the final cross-examination of Captain Philip Seekoei and renewed focus on Kelly Smith’s medical condition, with the trial-within-a-trial nearing its end.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 27, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
Captain Seekoei’s cross-examination is expected to conclude today, with final arguments in the trial-within-a-trial likely to begin as the court decides on the admissibility of key confessions.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 27, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-27-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 26
Day 26 of the Joshlin Smith trial focused on the cross-examination of Sgt Fortuin and Captain Seekoei, with the defence challenging the legitimacy of Steveno van Rhyn’s alleged confession.
Crime
Zanzou alleged torture suspect granted bail
A bouncer linked to the alleged Zanzou torture case was granted bail, as questions around the nightclub and the death of Kamogelo Monkwe continue to swirl.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 26, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
Day 25 of the Joshlin Smith trial saw intense cross-examination of Sgt Fortuin over the police’s interrogation strategy, setting the stage for today’s focus on Captain Seekoei and the admissibility of key confession videos.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 26, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-26-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: Here’s what happened on Day 25
Day 25 of the Joshlin Smith trial focused on the cross-examination of Sgt Fortuin, with defence probing procedural flaws and police conduct during the alleged confessions of Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn.
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 25, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
The Joshlin Smith trial continues in Cape Town as police testimony on how confessions were obtained from two accused faces scrutiny in the court’s bid to determine the admissibility of key statements.
![Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 25, how to watch live in South Africa [video]](https://www.swisherpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/joshlin-smith-trial-watch-daily-streams-day-24-768x512.jpg)
Crime
Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 24, how to watch live in South Africa [video]
The Joshlin Smith trial resumes with cross-examination of Captain Phillip Seekoei over a contested confession, as the court weighs whether statements from the accused were obtained lawfully.