SAPS detectives are back in Saldanha Bay investigating a new community tip about Joshlin Smith's whereabouts. Here is where the case stands, more than two years on.
Day 1 of the appeal confirmed that while convictions may stand on paper, the battle over this case is far from over. Inside the court, legal teams are fighting for the future of three convicted individuals. Outside, the search for a little girl — and the truth — continues.
Day one of the leave to appeal in the Joshlin Smith case saw defence lawyers accuse the court of procedural errors and coercion, while arguments for a key witness’s immunity were also heard.
The Joshlin Smith case is back in the Western Cape High Court today as Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and friend Steveno van Rhyn try to overturn their convictions and life sentences for child trafficking and kidnapping.
Prosecutor Zelda Swanepoel says there’s no evidence Joshlin Smith is dead and believes the missing child may still be alive.
Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn have filed for leave to appeal their convictions in the Joshlin Smith case, with the state preparing to oppose.
Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn have been sentenced to life imprisonment for human trafficking and kidnapping in the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith.
Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn have been sentenced to life imprisonment for the trafficking and kidnapping of Joshlin Smith.
Sentencing is expected today in the Joshlin Smith trial, with the court set to deliver its decision on human trafficking and kidnapping convictions.
On Day 40 of the Joshlin Smith trial, heart-wrenching victim impact statements were heard and final arguments presented, as sentencing looms.
The court is expected to hear final arguments in sentencing today, with the state pushing for maximum penalties for all three convicted in the Joshlin Smith case.
Expert testimony and detailed probation reports dominate Day 39 of the Joshlin Smith trial, shedding light on premeditation, the psychological profiles of the accused, and the call for maximum penalties.
Final preparations continue in the Joshlin Smith trial ahead of sentencing this week, with Day 39 expected to confirm social worker reports and witness readiness.
The final phase of the Joshlin Smith trial is here. As sentencing approaches, the State brings in global experts, the community prepares to speak, and Lourentia Lombaard’s immunity hangs in the balance. Here’s everything you need to know.
The court finalised the roadmap toward sentencing in the Joshlin Smith case, confirming witness plans, expert reports, and a separate hearing for state witness Lourentia Lombaard.
The court is expected to finalise logistics for victim impact statements and sentencing preparation as the trial moves toward its conclusion.
The court set a timeline for sentencing in the Joshlin Smith trial, with victim impact statements and expert evidence to be presented later this month.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The judge ruled that the out-of-court statements made by Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are admissible in the Joshlin Smith trial.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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