Racquen ‘Kelly’ Smith is on trial alongside her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and their friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, facing kidnapping and human trafficking charges.
Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete
The social worker who handled the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith is set to take the stand on Wednesday morning as the defence prepares to cross-examine her.
Siliziwe Mbambo, the ninth witness called by the State, testified on Tuesday in the ongoing trial, which began on 3 March.
Facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking are Joshlin’s mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, and Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn.
During the investigation, Constable Refilwe Sekhobe discovered that the former accused Laurentia Lombaard had been present on 19 February—the day Joshlin disappeared—while Appollis and Van Rhyn were smoking drugs.
Joshlin did not attend school that Monday. Her mother claimed her uniform was dirty and that she wasn’t feeling well.
The trial is taking place in the Western Cape High Court, which sits in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay. The hall was selected as it is closer to Joshlin's home in Middelpos.
Mbambo testified that she was only able to interview Kelly three days after Joshlin was reported missing. She described Kelly as distraught at the time.
The social worker also revealed that Kelly was already known to the Department of Social Development, having previously sought assistance.
“In 2016, Ms Smith requested services, and her grandmother also approached the department to report her drug abuse,” Mbambo told the court.
Smith’s grandmother had further alleged that she had verbally abused her young son, threatened to stab him, and had also threatened to assault her grandmother.
“She indicated that she wanted a protection order against Ms Smith,” Mbambo added.
At the time of these allegations, Kelly was pregnant with Joshlin.
Joshlin Smith has been missing since Monday, February 19, 2024.
Image: Supplied
A few months after giving birth, Kelly voluntarily sought rehabilitation and was admitted to a treatment centre for a month. However, she did not complete an anti-relapse programme.
After Joshlin’s disappearance, Kelly admitted to Mbambo that she had relapsed and was using tik again.
Mbambo’s testimony follows a shocking revelation that Kelly was not at the location she claimed on the day Joshlin went missing.
Her employer, Kelly Zeegers, testified that after the disappearance, she reviewed her home’s CCTV footage.
“Kelly was supposed to clean my house that Monday, but she was not there. I checked the footage, and it was just my children and me,” Zeegers stated.
The trial continues this morning, with the defence expected to cross-examine Mbambo.
mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za