Detective Captain Wesley Lombard testified in the Western Cape High Court about his interview with the accused in the trial of missing Joshlin Smith.
Image: Mandilakhe Tshwete/Independent Media
The investigating officer in the trial of the missing Saldanha Bay young girl, Joshlin Smith, is expected to continue with his testimony at the Western Cape High Court on Thursday morning.
Detective Captain Wesley Lombard from the provincial Organised Crime Unit revealed on Wednesday that the six-year-old girl’s mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, told him during an interview that her daughter was no longer in Saldanha Bay.
Lombard took over the case a week after Joshlin disappeared on 19 February 2024. Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their friends Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard were arrested for kidnapping and human trafficking.
The state later dropped charges against Lombaard when she turned State's witness.
During his testimony, Lombard recalled that Kelly showed no emotion and stated: "Joshlin is out of Saldanha Bay. What is there to ask? I must go on with my life; I have two other children."
Joshlin Smith has been missing since Monday, February 19, 2024.
Image: Supplied
Meanwhile, Joshlin’s father, José Emke, said he hoped for a positive outcome.
“Yes, I am waiting for a positive outcome so that I can find my child.”
He was also asked how he felt about Kelly knowing that Ayanda Litoni had arranged everything.
“I cannot speak about that, I am no longer with Kelly or speak with her,” he said.
“I would just fetch and take my children back home, that is all.”
“I cannot say anything about whose plan it was,” he said.
He said he was shocked because the minute he turned his back and went to the Northern Cape, the accused ‘planned this’.
“I just feel that the truth must come out. I will get it from the court,” he said.
The father became emotional after hearing Lombard’s testimony on Wednesday.
The trial continues, with over 40 witnesses expected to testify.
Weekend Argus
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