react after being found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking of Joshlin Smith in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-purpose Centre in Saldanha Bay on 2 May 2025 Sections Please check your email and enter your one time pin below:   Open in Gmail Sorry there was an error loading the audio Read more: Star State witness Laurentia Lombaard breaks down under cross-examination in Joshlin Smith case The 2021 local government election: The ANC finished first on the proportional representation (PR) ballot with just more than 40% of the vote The Socialist Workers Revolutionary Party (SWRP) — which came out of the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa — came second with 17% and the DA third with 13% On the ward ballot the ANC came first with 30%. It was hurt by an independent candidate who came second with 16%, followed by the SWRP, also on 16%. The DA also got into double figures with 11%. The PR ballot is used as the mode of the comparison because the independent candidate is not contesting the by-election. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The DA lost its outright majority in the council also losing ground since it had eight in the previous council Freedom Front Plus (FF+) and EFF each won a single seat The DA would form a government with the FF+ The 2024 provincial election: The ANC won just under half of the vote in the ward with 49% The EFF hurt the ANC and attracted some SWRP voters to finish third on 17% The DA lost two-thirds of its support in the ward to finish on 6% The DA was the most popular party in Saldanha Bay It picked up votes from the DA and the ANC but hurt the latter more losing more than half of its support in the municipality as they fell from 30% to 14% The EFF grew from 3% to 5% and GOOD from 2% to 4% The by-election: The ward councillor died. A crowded field signed up to take on the ANC in the first Western Cape by-election of 2025. The ANC also wanted to prevent what happened in 2023 when the EFF shocked the ANC in a Vredenburg by-election. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads It was not the Red Berets that hurt the ANC here last night but the MK party This upset win by MK saw it elect its first ever public representative in the Western Cape after being unable to win a provincial seat in the 2024 elections in the Western Cape MK beat the ANC by 338 votes while the PA had a credible third place finish the PA won close to 80% of the vote after obtaining 14% in 2021 It was the only game in the Diazville voting town in the by-election It was even worse for GOOD as it cratered from 36% to 6% The ANC also continued to lose support among coloured voters by falling from 12% to 5% The new council composition is DA 13 ANC 4 (5) GOOD 4 EFF 2 PA 1 MK 1 (0) CCC 1 FF+ 1-Total 27 The win for MK means that it now has four ward councillors across the country, with two being in KwaZulu-Natal, one in the North West and one in the Western Cape. It also has proportional representation in Limpopo. The party is slowly but surely building a national footprint of councillors. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Ward 59 is in the heart of the inner city of Johannesburg industrious hawkers and street vendors are common sights there Most of the voters in the ward live in Joubert Park which hosts the dilapidating Johannesburg Art Gallery Fashion District has aspirations to be the textile and fashion design centre of the country The 2021 local government election: The ANC retained this seat The EFF came second with more than 20% of the vote and ActionSA was third with 19% As is the norm with inner-city elections in Gauteng The 2024 provincial election: The ANC scraped home with 33% of the vote losing almost half its support in the ward compared with 2019 It was just ahead of the MK party which garnered 29% ActionSA came fourth with 7% and DA fifth with 6% The ANC won 32% of the vote in Johannesburg, well down from 50% in 2019, followed by the DA with 25%, also declining after amassing 30% in 2019. The EFF came third with 12%, down 3% from 2019, MK was fourth, just behind the EFF also on 12%, while ActionSA came in with 6% to finish fifth. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The by-election: The ward councillor died in a car accident. The ANC retained the ward and increased its percentage vote share in a low turnout by-election. The ANC won over 50% of the vote in all three voting districts with Joubert Park being the best result for the party. It grew from 47% to 62%. MK came second here with 16% while the EFF shrunk from 22% t0 13%. Action SA won 19% of the vote in Joubert Park in 2021. The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) grew here from 5% to 9%.  At the MTN Taxi Rank, the ANC was 1% off its 52% return from 2021. MK tied for second here with the EFF for 23%. The EFF grew here by 4% points. Action SA took 17% of the vote here in 2021.  Fashion District has the least amount of voters but the outcome here deserves closer scrutiny. The ANC went from 36% to 53%. MK came second with 30%. The EFF lost two-thirds of its percentage support, falling from 30% to 10%. The IFP grew from 1% to 7% in this district.  This is a district where Action SA won 24% of the vote in 2021.  The result of this by-election suggests that the Action SA voters who chose to show up transferred their votes to MK and ANC. MK and ANC also attracted some EFF support.  The ANC will be delighted with this win. The city in general and the inner city has generated much criticism and debate recently. This included strong remarks from President Cyril Ramaphosa. Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero will look at these results as a sign that residents of the inner city are supporting him and his recovery plan for the Metro.  The seat of the municipality is in the small village of Churchill near Mothibistad. Hotazel and Vanzylsrus also form part of the municipality. Joe Morolong encompasses well over half of the John Taolo Gaetswe district. The 2021 local government election: The ANC won more than 60% of the vote in Ward 1, but the EFF also had a strong showing, winning more than one-third of the vote. The ANC won three of the four districts, including Heuningvlei where it bagged an impressive 70%. The EFF won the second-most-populous district of Perth, taking 59%. The ANC garnered 38% of the Perth vote.  The results in the two less-populated districts were similar to the final ward result.  A quirk of the 2021 result was that Heuningvlei had a 138% turnout. Only 59% of Perth voters turned out, although the overall turnout was exceedingly high at 86%.  The ANC won 18 of the 29 seats, losing three from their 21-seat total in 2016. The EFF came second with eight, up from six in 2016. Three other parties won one each.  The 2024 provincial election: The ANC won two-thirds of the vote in the ward. The EFF came second with a gallant 30% and MK sixth with less than 1%.  The ANC was mostly immune from losses in Joe Morolong. The party only declined from 69% to 68%. The EFF went from 22% to 26% to consolidate its second place in the municipality. MK finished fourth, behind the DA, with 1%.  The by-election: The ward councillor died. The ANC beat the EFF by 316 votes in a relatively high turnout by-election. The 240-vote margin between the ANC and the EFF at Heuningvlei was key to the ANC retaining the ward. The EFF edged the ANC in the small village of Kome. The EFF also retained the Perth voting district where it held off the ANC by 51 votes. The EFF will be satisfied with its 40% return. The party continues to exhibit growth in the Northern Cape. MK were well off the pace but 6% is a good improvement from the less than 1% in May 2024.  How do people vote for a party led by someone who has cost this country billions? Either they don’t believe the truth or …. I do not know. ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " Please enable JS and disable any ad blocker has been burned to the ground following her mother's conviction Image: Leon Lestrade / Independent Newspapers THE POLICE have arrested a woman in connection with the arson attack on the home of Racquel "Kelly" Smith who was earlier found guilty for her involvement in the kidnapping and trafficking of her six-year-old daughter Joshlin The home where Joshlin once lived with her mother was reduced to ashes Joshlin Smith has been missing since February 19 last year Smith was convicted on Friday alongside her boyfriend Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis and their friend Steveno "Steffie" van Rhyn Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed that the house in Middelpos "We can confirm that Saldanha SAPS registered an arson case for investigation after Kelly Smith's Middelpos dwelling was destroyed by a fire An adult female had been taken in for questioning," said Pojie Judge Nathan Erasmus delivered the highly anticipated judgment at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville bringing to a close a harrowing case that has shaken the West Coast community and captured national attention The public gallery erupted into cheers after Erasmus confirmed that Joshlin had indeed been trafficked Joshlin was reported missing from her home on February 19 Her disappearance sparked a large-scale manhunt and a months-long investigation that culminated in the arrest of the trio Erasmus confirmed that the matter would be brought back to Saldanha for sentencing The trio is expected to be remanded in custody ahead of sentencing proceedings.  Western Cape police commissioner General Thembisile Patekile said the search for Joshlin has not stopped and that police will continue searching for the green-eyed girl AVBOB celebrates a milestone by rewarding its members on a large scale SALDANHA BAY - Saldanha Bay residents say substance abuse is the driving force of all crime in their community They say that it will continue to be a problem unless the entire community joins in on their efforts geared at eradicating crime WATCH: Joshlin kidnapping trial | Residents look to court for answers Some locals are attending the kidnapping and human trafficking trial relating to the disappearance of Joshlin Smith. One of the accused, Jacquin Apollis, has told police that he was using drugs with friends on the day the six-year-old girl went missing. SALDANHA BAY - Loud cries of "justice for Joshlin" echoed through the Saldanha Bay Multi-purpose Centre on Friday after the missing girl’s mother, Kelly Smith and her co-accused, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. The accused will now be held in custody for a week before sentencing procedures begin. Despite the ruling, authorities are still clueless as to the whereabouts of Joshlin, who was six years old when she disappeared from her Middelpos home in Saldanha in February last year. Judge Nathan Erasmus highlighted the corroboration of certain details in the testimonies of two witnesses and the confession statements of Appollis and Van Rhyn as pivotal to his ruling on Friday.Erasmus mentioned how the State used the testimonies of preacher, Steven Coetzee, and former accused-turned-State-witness, Lourencia Lombaard, to show there was sufficient corroboration to prove the accused were guilty. Erasmus said he was of the view that the State succeeded in proving the guilt of the accused.Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn will now appear in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on Friday next week for sentencing to commence. When the Joshlin Smith trial began in Saldanha Bay at the beginning of March 2025 residents flocked to the court hearings hoping to hear where the little girl was More than a month later, while Joshlin’s mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn continue to face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking, there have been no revelations about Joshlin’s whereabouts, except allegations that she was sold to a sangoma for R20,000.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads but the unsettling question remains – are those who took her still on the street and who might be the next victim Daily Maverick spoke to local mothers to ask them how Joshlin’s disappearance had affected how they feel about the safety of their children Mandy van Rooy says Joshlin’s disappearance had a significant impact because parents realised they needed to know where their children were playing and with whom who was born in Saldanha and now lives in Vredenburg is a church leader who participates in a variety of community activities such as connecting with youth and survivors of domestic abuse She also participates in the My Child is Your Child group This organisation was formed when Bradley Douw went missing on 14 December 2023 His remains were discovered in February 2025 “As a mother of two children, Joshlin’s disappearance instilled a lot of fear and alerted me to the possibility that if Joshlin may disappear, so can my child.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “Joshlin’s disappearance had a significant impact because parents realised and you should also be aware when you are inside your home Cillian O‘Neal says Joshlin’s story emphasises the rarely discussed problem of human trafficking where Joshlin went missing on 19 February 2024 and recently became a grandmother to a 9-month-old baby She is actively involved with children at Kids Church and has been organising a kids’ holiday club in Saldanha Bay for the past 10 years for children from White City the sadness was still palpable when we visited with the teachers at Diazville Primary School where Joshlin attended … the pain of not having closure “The disappearance of Joshlin highlighted an issue that I believe is not frequently discussed: human trafficking and perhaps this is a wake-up call not only for Saldanha because human trafficking is a genuine problem,” she said The discussion, she said, was about how to safeguard children from “prowlers”. “I dubbed them vultures”.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove adsadvertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The first protection had to be in the house and community members needed to look out for one another’s children Since the disappearance of Joshlin Smith on 19 February 2024 Lizal Jonas has been an ‘overprotective’ mother Her children don’t go anywhere without her is a mother of two who attends the trial whenever possible had a significant impact on her as an “overprotective” mother and there is always somebody at home when I’m at work,” she says Jonas was one of the mothers who participated in the search for Joshlin from the day she disappeared “We spent two weeks searching for Joshlin and had restless nights in the Western Cape or any part of the country will go missing because … it is still a mystery what happened to Joshlin “To live in Saldanha and provide a safe environment for our children, we as mommies need to get rid of the gangs and jailbirds who are being freed, because they have made the area very dangerous and unsafe,” she said. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Grandmother Katriena Lamberts says she attends the Joshlin Smith kidnapping and human trafficking trial because she wants to hear the truth about what happened to the child Katriena Lamberts, a grandmother, is one of a group of people permitted to pray in front of the Saldanha Bay Multipurpose Centre, where the Joshlin Smith trial is being held, each morning before proceedings begin.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Lamberts says Joshlin’s disappearance is highly sensitive I’m attending the trial to learn what happened to Joshlin I’m a member of a prayer group that meets every morning in front of the courthouse that the truth about Joshlin will be revealed and that someone will speak up and tell the court what happened to the child,” she said Candice Samuels is concerned about the safety of her child and her neighbours’ children in Saldanha Bay She said that no matter what Joshlin’s mother was going through, it “doesn’t give any mother the right to purportedly sell her child”.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The mothers I spoke with are still concerned since Joshlin has not been discovered and the perpetrators who allegedly snatched her are still alive and roaming among us “Children do not want to be locked inside a house all day; they want to play outside with their friends and it sends shivers down my spine when I come outside and don’t see them for a few seconds,” she said Jomecia Adams says Joshlin’s disappearance has caused great fear to the point where mothers are afraid of cars stopping near the school at the end of classes Jomecia Adams said Joshlin’s disappearance had caused immeasurable fear is afraid of cars stopping near her children’s school at the end of the school day My child is turning six and attending Grade R I’m especially concerned about the cars that have stopped in front of the school I need to pick her up from school and take her home and while we as mothers are all hurt as a result of the Joshlin event no mom should be accused of selling her child It is a never-ending nightmare,” Adams said walking her children to school and then fetching them after school has now become a routine for Adams “Joshlin’s disappearance changed my life.” says she wishes that the Lord would return Joshlin employed Joshlin’s mother and provided daily meals for her and her children “All I beg is that the Lord restore Joshlin Joshlin was one of the children [who] visited my house every day and I could only reach out to her children because I knew their situation Joshlin had a way when they came to my house had a way of coming up to rest against my chest first,” she said Zeegers said she knew Kelly had a problem with drugs but said She has visited Kelly in prison and begged her to say where Joshlin is hoping to receive the answer everyone wants to hear – where is Joshlin The sea used to be the primary source of food and employment for residents of White City and surrounding areas in Saldanha Bay but their lives were upended when the Department of Forestry Fisheries and the Environment  – formerly the Department of Agriculture or DAFF – implemented policies limiting the total allowable catch for many species Read more: White City, Saldanha Bay: A community devastated by quotas and rising costsadvertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads The impoverished community was forced to resort to poaching to put food on the table the surge of gun violence has turned portions of Saldanha into a “ghost” town This bleak image emerged when the Western Cape High Court trial of those accused of abducting Joshlin Smith in the Saldanha Multipurpose Centre before Judge Nathan Erasmus Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, and her co-accused – Jacquen Appollis and Smith’s boyfriend, Steveno van Rhyn – have pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations against them Joshlin’s case has also highlighted the prevalence of drugs in Saldanha Bay, as the court heard that on the day she went missing, all those involved, including her mother, claimed to have taken drugs, including tik, on multiple occasions and failed to look for her until hours later.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Read more: Accused admit to day of drug use while denying involvement in Joshlin Smith’s disappearance To further illustrate the violence that has gripped this town the body of a 40-year-old man was discovered burning in a garbage bin on Zabalaza Street in Middelpos Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “The deceased had a bullet hole in his forehead and an exit wound at the back of his head Investigations continue with no arrest as yet Circumstances surrounding this incident are under investigation The motive forms part of the police investigation.” Two activists and a former 28 gang member spoke openly to Daily Maverick about the prevalence of drugs and gang violence The identity of the 28 gang member is being withheld for safety reasons He still resides and works in Hopland in Saldanha Dianne Adams is the chair of Tabakbaai Neighbourhood Watch which is participating in a broader security initiative to secure safety in and around the multipurpose centre for the duration of the Joshlin Smith trial The neighbourhood watch started with 50 members in 2020 “I stand here with a heavy heart because on Sunday, 1 September 2024, my brother Betram Petersen was shot and died. He was imprisoned for petty charges related to stealing a cellphone and released on 2 June 2024.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “He was 26 when he was released, but he was not a member of any group or involved in gangsterism. He was shot and killed shortly after 4am that morning while on his way to see his wife. His killer is an alleged 28-year-old gangster who is still on the streets,” she said.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads a week after his house on Mayflower Street was burnt down is still leading the push to monitor streets in Saldanha Bay’s most volatile areas Adams noted that drug misuse is so widespread that children as young as seven years old are allegedly involved in drug dealing carrying the drugs in their bags to school or drop-off locations “Gangsters follow this young drug mule to school wait outside school and make sure that they are not intimidated talk about it among each other but too scared to go to the police,” she said Adams said most of the druglords in Saldanha are from Cape Town and that Saldanha has become a sanctuary for gangsters from the city and elsewhere in the country One of the alleged kingpins is said to work for an alleged underworld figure in Cape Town According to Adams, people in Hopland, Middelpos, Tabakbaai and White City prefer to be inside their homes by 6pm. After that gun-wielding gangsters take over the streets.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove adsadvertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Tabakbaai Neighbourhood Watch chair Dianne Adams inside the burnt-out home of her drug addict brother Nigel Struis who was killed allegedly by 28s gang members in 2024 who refused to surrender his house to the 28s was shot and killed allegedly by gang members on 26 October 2024 Daily Maverick was also told that druglords had allegedly taken possession of at least eight RDP homes belonging to drug addicts or those with large drug debts none of these cases has been reported to South African Police Services or the local municipality because the tenants have been informed that if they speak out A 69-year-old drug addict who lost his home in Hopland to suspected drug merchants talked to Daily Maverick on condition of anonymity “My son and I were drug addicts and we owed the merchants a lot of money. People working for the drug merchant are staying in our home and selling drugs. advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “I was told if I go and open a charge at the police station then my son and I and other family members will be killed who is going to listen or help me?” he said Daily Maverick also approached another seven people whose homes were reportedly taken over by drug dealers who has spent her entire life in White City told Daily Maverick: “I don’t know what is going to happen to us The way gangsterism and gang violence and drugs are getting out of hand we must surrender our lives to death “I’m 72 years old and have for most of my life never heard a gunshot while residing in White City and now at the late stage of my life must start getting used to the rattling sounds of semi-automatic and automatic gunfire.” It is also the first time in this close-knit fishing community that Mali has to lock her front security gate One of the reasons why gangsters and drug kingpins rule with impunity is because the word on the street is that while those who allegedly sold Joshlin are not convicted then they as gangsters and drug kingpins can also get away with their crimes She also alleged that a new breed of children going to see family members is too dangerous drugs and gang-related violence on the rise It’s no longer surprising to hear in the morning that such and such a person was shot and died in the neighborhood “One of the reasons why gangsters and drug kingpins rule with impunity is because the word on the street is that while those who allegedly sold Joshlin are not convicted then they as gangsters and drug kingpins can also get away with their crimes,” Mali said The situation is exacerbated by the fact that parents and their children are allegedly locked into drug-dealing jobs to provide food for their families Gangsters have also established themselves as the “alternative government” in Saldanha This phenomenon was explained in criminologist Irvin Kinnes’ thesis titled “Contested governance: Police and gang interaction” which reveals that gangs in crime-ridden areas on the Cape Flats have their own welfare institutions churches and sports clubs that provide gangs with “space” in communities The downside is that gangs slowly begin to rule violently across these communities Read more: Gangs of the Cape Flats: An alternative form of governance in desperate times Goats grazing in the Middelpos informal settlement where Joshlin Smith disappeared on 19 February 2024 According to a former 28s gangster who works in the area the once-safe fishing community turned into hell about six years ago because of one individual became a good Samaritan and gained the trust of the locals Some residents depended on him and the food he provided,” the former gang member said He claimed that the gang violence initially focused on abalone which was in high demand from the 28s gang not only in Saldanha but also in Cape Town and among Chinese nationals “The violence has now turned to a drug turf war The drug war has made it harder for residents to leave their communities due to gang affiliations Tabakbaai and White City risk their lives if they stroll through the various locations,” he said residents claim they are enjoying a reprieve after the arrest of a suspected drug dealer’s was made last month Daily Maverick received a somewhat hostile reception from officers at Saldanha Bay police station who flatly refused to provide the date of the suspected drug merchant’s arrest so that we could direct our question to the provincial police spokeswoman Their response was for Daily Maverick to submit questions to the province who would forward them to the police station Police spokesperson FC van Wyk said: “Be advised that the mentioned person was arrested on 28 February 2025 following a stabbing incident on 27 February 2025 where a 28-year-old man was stabbed in the chest “An attempted murder case was opened for investigation He appeared on 28 February 2025 in court and has appeared again on Friday in court for a charge of attempted murder.” What can be done to curb the spate of violence Mali and the former 28s gangster all believe that visible policing is critical to reducing violence and fostering a safe environment The former 28 gang member also proposed an imbizo with Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu where all stakeholders could meet and devise a safety strategy specifically designed to combat crime in Saldanha Bay Mali added that the co-operation that existed years ago among residents had vanished like mist over the West Coast all the parents in the street would rush out to see where they could help Back then someone who had committed a crime was dealt with by the community in such a way that he would either leave his criminal ways or be driven out “More worrying is that parents become involved in crime and drugs for financial gain,” Mali added This is gonna happen in more towns,gangsters have free reins Useless government = more guns + more crime (This really is the only solution – the ANC will never self-correct) Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn on kidnapping and human trafficking charges in the Joshlin Smith case is a landmark ruling according to National Prosecuting Authority Western Cape boss Nicollette Bell Commenting after Judge Nathan Erasmus handed down his guilty verdict in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha Bay, on Friday, 2 May 2025, Bell commended the prosecutors – advocates Aradhana Heeramun and Zelda Swanepoel – and the investigation team for their hard work.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads the little girl Joshlin is still out there So the search for her must go on,” Bell told the media after the ruling The court heard evidence that Joshlin’s mother about the plan to sell Joshlin the day before the little girl went missing The conversation was overheard by Van Rhyn and Laurentia Lombaard who was initially charged in the case before turning State witness The three accused pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations they “sold, delivered or exchanged” Joshlin, a Grade 1 pupil at Diazville Primary, for money.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads During the case, which began on 3 March 2025, Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn chose to remain silent deciding to neither take the stand nor call any witnesses in their defence Crowds wait for Raquel Smith to leave court after the guilty verdict was handed down in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial in Saldanha Bay Advocate Zelda Swanepoel during the Joshlin Smith trial in Saldanha Bay Judge Erasmus put significant emphasis on the testimony of evangelist Nico Coetzee Coetzee was an acquaintance of Smith from Northern Cape he recognised her when she was called to the stage at church That was when he remembered what she told him in August 2023 when they ran into each other He told the court that she had arranged to sell her children “She [Smith] told me she is waiting for people who were supposed to come to her who were supposed to come earlier but disappointed her If they come this time and they do not have the full amount of R20,000 then she will be satisfied with R5,000,” Coetzee testified He further testified that Smith had claimed that in January or February 2024: “You will see with your own eyes what will happen in Middelpos and Diazville.”advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Smith allegedly said:  “It will look like a movie scene of cars and people that will search but they will find nothing Read more: Joshlin Smith’s mother ‘talked of plans for daughter to be taken months before disappearance’ He’d also told his employer about Smith’s comments and the R20,000 she was allegedly promised before the information was in the public domain The court found Coetzee made a favourable impression during his testimony and he had no personal motive to get involved in the case “More importantly, there is nothing said by the defence. What inference can be drawn from silence in this instance? It calls out for an answer because either he is not only not an evangelist, but also prophet to have known what was going to happen,” said Judge Erasmus.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads Coetzee’s  evidence corroborated Lombaard’s who was a participant in the crime before testifying against her friends Lombaard claimed Kelly said she was selling Joshlin for R20,000 and that she and Van Rhyn would receive a cut for their silence starting when she gave her initial statement to police Read more: Closing arguments in Joshlin Smith trial highlight flaws and contradictions in witness testimony “Then she comes to court and has a difficult time. So from the outset, she was not the perfect witness. Does it mean that if she was dishonest at a particular stage that I should disregard everything she said?” Erasmus asked.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads He found aspects of her testimony had been confirmed Lombaard said there was a conversation about selling Joshlin on the day before she disappeared The R20,000 figure she mentioned was corroborated by Appollis “When one analyses the evidence of Lombaard, no credible findings have been made yet, [there’s] no evidence of corroboration because the evidence of Appollis and Van Rhyn were not admissible against Smith,” said Erasmus, referring to the statements Appollis and Van Rhyn made to police.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads “But they are admissible against themselves and if corroborates the State evidence that implicates Smith it can only strengthen the state case on that evidence,” the judge said Read more: Joshlin Smith judgment due Friday after defence says State failed to prove case beyond reasonable doubt The court also looked at the demeanor of the three accused from the time Joshlin disappeared which Erasmus said was because they knew that Joshlin had been sold The judge also referred to the 3 March 2024 prayer service She was dancing and appeared to be enjoying herself which the judge said was not the conduct of someone whose child has disappeared Appollis and Van Rhyn’s decisions not to testify: “You have a right to remain silent [but] there comes a time where the evidence is such that it calls out for an answer but it has risk because the court can draw inferences “And the inference I draw is why not come and answer “On the main count, I found that on evidence before me, Joshlin was exchanged. The fact is that her freedom of movement and liberty was inhibited, that in itself are the main elements of kidnapping. The evidence is from all scores, there were promises of payments,” said the judge.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads He went to say depriving that Joshlin of freedom and liberty, and the fact that her whereabouts are still unknown, is unlawful “In my view, the State succeeded in proving the guilt of Appollis, Van Rhyn and Smith on human trafficking and kidnapping.” The trio are back in Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on 9 May when the court will begin sentencing proceedings. DM This is a sad, miserable story about damaged humans, but my question is why the heck has the sangoma or witch person not been identified in the press, and called to account? There seems to be a disturbing tolerance in South Africa for these dealers in human suffering. I agree. What worries me is that some policemen, detectives and prosecutors might be afraid because they believe that they will be “bewitched”. CAPE TOWN - The MK Party has won its first ward in the Western Cape by defeating the African National Congress (ANC) and six other parties who contested the by-election in the Saldanha Bay municipality. The victory came as a surprise in a province where the party doesn’t garner much electoral support, as the party takes over the ward held by the ANC. The party didn't perform well in the province during last year’s provincial elections and failed to secure a single seat in the provincial legislature. The Saldanha Bay by-election saw the MK Party taking 36% of the vote, followed by the ANC at 26% and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) giving a strong showing with 19%. Eight political parties contested the by-election which saw the Democratic Alliance managing just over one percent of the vote in the ward. MK councillor, Mzwandile Biko, takes over the seat previously held by the ANC since local government elections in 2021. The by-elections' voter turnout was 55.30% compared to the 2021 local government election voter turnout of 48.08%, according to the IEC. MK Party secretary-general, Floyd Shivambu, took to social media to celebrate the victory, saying the "MK affirmed its presence in Saldanha Bay Municipality" and the party would win decisively at the next by-elections on 2 April. Experienced test pilot James O’Connell was killed at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha on Saturday when the Impala Mk I aircraft he was piloting crashed during a display Air show organisers said in a statement following the 22 March accident that O’Connell was performing a routine display intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the Impala Mk I an ex-South African Air Force jet trainer with historical significance for many South Africans “It was especially a huge moment because the Impala has not been seen performing at airshows for many years The manoeuvres were being executed as part of the official airshow programme witnessed by thousands of spectators,” the organisers said Eyewitness accounts report that the aircraft (registration ZU-IMP) appeared to be under control during most of the display the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of altitude and entered a steep dive before making contact with the ground According to airshow commentator Brian Emmenis “He went into the dirty configuration – the dirty configuration is when the undercarriage is extended – he turned the aircraft one could clearly see that he was losing height He went out towards the hangars—he was at that stage in a serious deep dive—and he went straight into the ground Emergency services responded immediately.” First responders were on scene within moments No spectators were injured during the incident The air show was halted immediately following the incident The South African Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and Air Show South Africa (ASSA) have been notified and a full investigation is currently underway “The Accident and Incident Investigations Division has arrived at the site of the accident in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape They are working with the event safety officers to collate all of the preliminary information that forms part of the investigation where a report will be issued in 30 days from the day of the accident,” said CAA spokesperson Sisa Majola West Coast Air Show organisers extended their condolences to O’Connell’s family with the South African Air Force Museum labelling him “an aviation legend” with over 36 years of flying experience including 25 dedicated to experimental flight testing O’Connell had logged over 4 000 hours on rotary-wing aircraft and over 1 600 hours on fixed-wing aircraft by the time of his death O’Connell’s expertise was instrumental in testing the South African Air Force A109 LUH helicopter and he worked on the Oryx helicopter upgrade during his time in the South African Air Force He was serving as the Chief Flight Instructor at the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA) Editorial Enquiries: [email protected] Sales Enquiries: [email protected] Picture: Western Cape Missing Persons Unit/Supplied CAPE TOWN - The kidnapping and human trafficking case related to missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith is set to be moved to Saldanha Bay Joshlin has been missing for 11 months since her mother allegedly sold her to an unknown woman near their Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay Smith and two others were set to appear in the Western Cape High Court for a pre-trial hearing on Friday Kelly Smith appeared in court without her co-accused, Jacquen Appolis and Stevano van Rhyn, due to a clerical issue. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, said that the two accused were still being held at Malmesbury Prison despite a request for them to be transferred to Cape Town. Ntabazalila also confirmed the matter was set to be moved to a venue in Saldanha Bay when it goes to trial. "There are issues where we will move the case to the Saldanha area which makes it easy for the people in that community and surrounding areas to have access to the case."   Ntabazalila said that the NPA would now choose a suitable venue for the trial to be held in Saldanha Bay.  CAPE TOWN - Those accused in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith will officially go on trial in the West Coast town of Saldanha Bay in March The Western Cape High Court will hold proceedings at a centre in the town to allow community members to attend READ: Joshlin Smith | Pre-trial hearing set to begin Six-year-old Joshlin Smith has not been heard from for over a year Her mother and two others are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking Home | South Africa The trial into the kidnapping and trafficking of seven-year-old Joshlin Smith under way at the Western Cape High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay on the Cape West Coast. takes the stand at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on 17 March 2025 said that Smith told her that Joshlin was still in Saldanha Bay a few days after the little girl's disappearance Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on Monday The accused are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking related to Joshlin's disappearance • Woman Joshlin Smith was allegedly sold to wanted child's eyes and skin, court hearsState witnesses drop several bombshells in Joshlin Smith trial Daniels, who is a constable at Upington Police Station, said that her sister contacted her a few days after Joshlin went missing. She told the court that she had been questioning Smith about Joshlin's disappearance throughout the week after she went missing but received vague answers from the accused. The witness said that when she contacted Smith seven days after Joshlin went missing, Smith told her that Joshlin was still in Saldanha Bay and that someone wanted to sell Joshlin, but they couldn't because the town had become a hotspot. Daniels told the court that during a live social media interview with prominent politician, Gayton McKenzie, Smith told viewers that Daniels, in her capacity as a police officer, told Smith that Joshlin was sold for R20,000. Daniels denied this, saying the only information she received was from Smith. The Joshlin Smith case in Saldanha Bay is a tense legal battle about serious human trafficking charges involving a missing child The quiet fishing town became a spotlight for grief and hope as the courtroom drama unfolded relying heavily on witness testimony with little physical proof while the community and media watched closely showing how justice is both a legal fight and a story told through public eyes This case reveals South Africa’s struggle to find truth and fairness amid deep pain and uncertainty The Joshlin Smith case involves allegations of human trafficking against Kelly Smith and associates in Saldanha Bay. The trial highlights South Africa’s legal process, reliance on witness testimony, and the challenges of proving cases without physical evidence under the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act Early 2024 cast the serene fishing community of Saldanha Bay into the glare of national attention Once known for its tranquil coastline and bustling markets the West Coast town found itself at the heart of a deeply emotional and legally complex criminal case typically reserved for weddings and community celebrations abruptly became a courthouse as the search for justice in the disappearance of young Joshlin Smith took center stage The sudden transformation of a familiar gathering place underscored the gravity of the situation bound by shared grief and a longing for resolution gathered alongside national and international media The drama unfolding inside the makeshift courtroom captivated the public but also because of the emotional and legal storms swirling around her mother Receive a snapshot of Cape Town's pulse in your inbox every day in less than 5 minutes. Our daily email brings you up-to-date summaries of all important Cape Town news You have successfully joined our subscriber list found themselves both witnesses and participants in an unfolding story that intertwined family pain and a broader societal struggle against child trafficking The events in Saldanha Bay became a prism through which South Africans examined justice the courtroom drama unfolded with a palpable sense of urgency quickly established a bold defensive strategy He moved assertively to challenge the state’s case as soon as the prosecution rested seeking to have all charges against his client dropped Sivnarain’s approach signaled a readiness not only to contest the evidence but to question the foundations upon which the prosecution had built its argument The charges themselves carried enormous weight. Smith, her partner Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their associate Steveno Van Rhyn faced allegations of human trafficking—specifically, that they trafficked Smith’s own daughter. The legal proceedings drew upon South Africa’s Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act a statute reflecting both local realities and international human rights norms The stakes could not have been higher for everyone involved from the accused and their families to an anxious public an intricate blend of British and Roman-Dutch influences These traditions emphasized adversarial procedure and the centrality of witness testimony when direct evidence was scarce the credibility and consistency of witnesses became crucial often making the difference between acquittal and conviction the spotlight shifted to Laurentia Lombaard In trials where physical evidence is limited the strength or weakness of testimony frequently determines the outcome using cross-examination to highlight inconsistencies and contradictions in Lombaard’s statements He argued forcefully that her account faltered under questioning and failed to provide the necessary substance for conviction This approach drew on traditions reaching back to ancient legal systems where the art of cross-examination and the weight of oratory could tip the scales of justice Sivnarain’s critiques—pointing out that Lombaard’s testimony “was inconsistent” and “contradicted itself”—resonated with both the judge and the public The defense attorney’s stance challenged not just the details embattled witness in the absence of compelling physical evidence invoked her constitutional right to remain silent refusing to testify or call additional witnesses While some outsiders misconstrued this as evasive the accused bears no burden to prove innocence; instead The defense gambled that the prosecution’s evidence would fall short requiring no further rebuttal from their side A pivotal moment occurred when Gayton McKenzie interviewed Kelly Smith at a local Spur restaurant blended elements of political theater and personal tragedy It exemplified how legal proceedings today often spill into digital and political arenas where visibility and narrative can shape popular opinion as powerfully as any verdict The proliferation of such content highlights the evolving relationship between media coverage and judicial process sometimes sensationalist press amplified the emotional stakes offering the public a window into the proceedings while also risking the spread of rumor and conjecture distinctions between legal evidence and public perception often blurred The judicial system itself offers safeguards against such pressures both Sivnarain and Van Rhyn’s defense invoked Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act This statute allows the court to acquit if the prosecution fails to present a prima facie case—a critical protection against wrongful conviction based on insufficient evidence cautioned that certain aspects of Lombaard’s testimony still implicated Smith and Van Rhyn making it imperative for the defense to address those allegations with care the case laid bare intense emotional and social currents Trials involving missing children are always fraught forcing communities to confront their fears and hopes in equal measure protecting the rights of the accused while seeking justice for the vulnerable South Africa’s struggle against human trafficking remains an ongoing challenge The country’s comprehensive anti-trafficking laws shaped by internationally recognized standards and inspired by a history of human rights activism have brought progress but also highlighted persistent difficulties in enforcement Cases like Joshlin Smith’s emphasize the reliance on witness testimony when forensic evidence is lacking placing enormous pressure on both legal teams and communities desperate for answers This dynamic echoes historical precedents, such as the high-profile trial of Zephany Nurse’s abductor. There, the presence of DNA evidence alongside witness statements provided a clearer path to justice, but the influence of media and public opinion remained ever-present the absence of physical proof left the fate of the accused hinging on interpretation and persuasion The tension between accusation and defense found a visual echo in the world’s artistic heritage shadowed paintings to Rodin’s solemn sculptures artists have long grappled with the ambiguity inherent in the pursuit of justice The Saldanha Bay proceedings embodied these age-old dilemmas: clarity and doubt all playing out beneath the fluorescent lights of a community center repurposed into a courtroom the role of the press and political actors only deepens these complexities McKenzie’s interview and its viral aftermath transformed a local criminal case into a national conversation South Africans debated not only the specifics of the Smith case but also broader questions about justice Defense attorneys like Sivnarain now act not just as legal practitioners navigating courts of law and courts of public opinion alike Their work requires mastery of narrative as well as precedent psychological insight as well as legal skill the ability to sow reasonable doubt can prove just as decisive as the marshaling of exculpatory evidence The saga of Kelly Smith and her missing daughter Joshlin calls for a deeper reckoning with the role of law in society and community member—contributes to a complex tapestry of fact serving as a testament to the enduring human quest for justice and closure in the face of uncertainty and loss As the community awaits the court’s decision the case stands as a powerful reminder: the pursuit of justice unfolds not in isolation but within the hearts and minds of all those it touches invites us to reflect on the delicate balance between truth and the hope for a fair resolution in a troubled world The Joshlin Smith case in Saldanha Bay revolves around serious human trafficking charges against Kelly Smith and her associates including allegations that they trafficked Joshlin The trial highlights the challenges of prosecuting such cases in South Africa particularly when physical evidence is scarce and the case relies heavily on witness testimony under the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act typically known as a peaceful fishing town transformed into the focal point of national attention in early 2024 due to this emotionally charged case The local White City Multipurpose Centre was repurposed as a courtroom symbolizing the community’s grief and collective hope for justice bringing a small town into the spotlight amidst South Africa’s broader struggle against human trafficking influenced by British and Roman-Dutch traditions emphasizes the presumption of innocence and relies on an adversarial process The accused are not required to prove their innocence; instead the prosecution must establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt In the absence of strong physical evidence Legal safeguards like Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act allow courts to acquit if the prosecution fails to present a prima facie case Witness testimony is central to the trial’s outcome especially since physical evidence is limited faced intense cross-examination by defense attorney Rinesh Sivnarain who highlighted inconsistencies in her account The defense argued that her testimony was insufficient to meet the burden of proof Kelly Smith’s invocation of her constitutional right to remain silent further emphasized the trial’s reliance on the credibility and consistency of witness statements The case has extended beyond the courtroom into public and political arenas including a widely shared interview between Kelly Smith and political figure Gayton McKenzie This visibility illustrates the complex interaction between legal proceedings and public perception where media narratives can both inform and complicate the pursuit of justice by blurring lines between evidence and opinion The case underscores ongoing challenges in combating human trafficking in South Africa particularly the difficulty of securing convictions without strong physical evidence It reveals tensions between the need for empathy towards vulnerable victims and the imperative to uphold fair legal standards it reflects how justice is intertwined with community emotions and the evolving role of defense attorneys as both legal advocates and storytellers in highly publicized trials went to Thailand chasing her dreams but ended up trapped in a nightmare After unknowingly signing for a package with illegal drugs she was arrested and sentenced to over 13 years in prison Her mother moved to Thailand to fight for her sharing Ashley’s story with the world and gaining support Her story is a powerful reminder of how quickly life can change and the risks travelers face in foreign countries a minibus taxi on Cape Town’s steep and narrow Kloof Nek Road tried to overtake a scooter but lost control The accident caused chaos and injured eight people and fastmoving vehicles like scooters and taxis locals worry that more crashes will happen unless safety measures improve The city now faces tough questions about how to keep its busy streets safe while moving forward Vaping is quickly becoming a popular habit among South African teenagers what seems like harmless fun can quickly turn into addiction making it harder for families and schools to stop this growing trend It’s a serious challenge that needs everyone—parents and leaders—to work together to protect young people’s futures the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) has helped South African farmers sell fruits like avocados and citrus to the United States without paying extra taxes by opening up new markets and encouraging growth making it harder for farmers to compete and putting many livelihoods at risk South African farmers remain strong and hopeful working hard to face these new challenges and keep their communities alive three South African police officers disappeared during a trip and were later found dead near the Hennops River Their white car vanished into the river’s dark now holds heavy secrets and reminds the nation of the dangers police face and the urgent need for justice Cape Town’s boatbuilding industry is a shining example of skill and tradition mixed with new technology strong boats that are loved worldwide and supports thousands of jobs in the city threaten this important work and the people who depend on it and innovators are coming together to protect this proud craft Their passion and teamwork fuel hope that Cape Town’s boatbuilding legacy will sail on strong into the future We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns A fatal crash occurred at the West Coast Airshow in Saldanha at approximately 3 PM on Saturday, 22 March 2025. The aircraft involved was an Impala Mk I performing a solo aerobatic routine Organisers of the airshow later confirmed that, during the official flying display, a fatal accident occurred involving the Impala Mark I aircraft, piloted by highly respected South African test pilot James O’Connell.advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads a highly decorated Air Force veteran with nearly 40 years of flight experience The crash occurred within the designated flying zone The Impala was the third performance of the day following displays by the Marksmen Aerobatic Team and others Several hundred spectators gathered at the airfield outside Saldanha on South Africa’s West Coast a double-seat jet trainer and light attack aircraft developed in South Africa This is a developing story and will be updated as information becomes available. DMadvertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads This article was updated on 23 March to reflect that there was no sign of an attempt by the pilot to eject himself from the aircraft The Impala prepares to commence the solo aerobatics The Impala appears to bank to the right shortly before crashing The Impala engulfed in flames as stunned onlookers and marshals watch in horror Airshow attendees were left in shock following the tragic incident Emergency services extinguished the fire – the pilot did not survive  advertisementDon't want to see this? Remove adsadvertisementDon't want to see this? Remove ads How can you report on such a singular event with this outcome and make a mess of the article – you claim he attempted to eject and then report the commentator saying g the opposite Then you finish the article of about a luminary’s death with the phrase “and that’s not all!” What planet of supposed reliable journalism are you on the reporter just might be of Germanic origin which may explain why the article has been written the way it has shouldn’t your comment “What planet of supposed reliable journalism are you on” be followed by a question mark I was at the airshow at Lanseria in 1993(?) when an Impala lost a wing at low altitude The pilot ejected but was too low for the parachute to be effective I will never forget the awful feeling that descended over the crowd that day only slightly alleviated by the pilot doing what he clearly loved right to the end I know nothing of flying and was not present at the event but am curious that to judge by the photographs provided in the story the undercarriage was down during the flight @Niall Evans – reread for quotation marks for airshow advertisement He died doing what he loved doing – not a bad way to go SALDANHA BAY - The Western Cape High Court will sit at the Saldanha Bay Civic Centre on the West Coast This will allow the community to attend the case of missing 6-year-old Joshlin Smith It's been a year since Joshlin disappeared from outside her home READ: Timeline: The disappearance of Joshlin Smith Despite an extensive search, she has yet to be found. Joshlin's mother Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appolis and Stevano van Rhyn are accused of her kidnapping. The state claims Smith had planned to sell Joshlin, along with her two other children. JOHANNESBURG - The Accident and Incident Investigations Division (AIID) of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) has arrived at Saldanha Airport to start examining the circumstances that led to a fatal aircraft accident. The airshow kicked off at the Saldanha Airport on Friday, but Saturday's proceedings ended abruptly when the Impala Mark 1 aircraft crashed and burst into flames. The pilot, James O'Connel, was declared dead on the scene. SACAA spokesperson, Sisa Majola, said a preliminary report would be issued after 30 days. "I can confirm that the Accident and Incident Investigations Division has arrived at the site of the accident in Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape. They are working with the event's safety officers to collate all of that preliminary investigation that forms part of the investigation." Organisers and attendees of the airshow have sent condolences to the family and friends of the pilot who died in the crash. 0861 99 00 44    Studio@smile904.fm Tributes have been pouring in for highly respected South African test pilot James O’Connell who died on Saturday 22 March after a dramatic crash at the West Coast Air Show in Saldanha Bay O’Connell was performing a routine display intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the Impala Mark 1 The Impala had not been seen performing at airshows for many years According to an official statement by the organisers a sudden loss of altitude during O’Connell’s final manoeuvre led to the devastating crash Footage of the crash was widely shared on social media Air Show South Africa (ASSA) and the Civil Aviation Authority are conducting a full investigation Organisers have expressed their thoughts and deepest sympathies with James’s family and everyone affected by this tragic event Many spectators also requested the organisers to convey their condolences to James’s family O’Connell had 36 years of flying experience His achievements include leading testing for the South African Air Force A109 LUH helicopter and spearheading the Oryx helicopter upgrade He served as the Chief Flight Instructor for the Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA) © Smile904.fm hosted and supported by ImmediaTerms of Use | General Contest Guidelines|Archive|Advertise with us|Privacy Policy|Contact Us at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on 17 March 2025 SALDANHA BAY - The investigating officer in the Joshlin Smith trial on Wednesday told the court he was shocked when Kelly Smith told him that her missing daughter was no longer in Saldanha Bay Captain Wesley Lombard took the stand on Wednesday to testify about his investigation into Joshlin's disappearance Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn are on trial for kidnapping and human trafficking in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre • Kelly Smith accuses Lombaard of being the mastermind behind Joshlin's disappearanceCourt told Kelly Smith will deny selling daughter Joshlin to sangomaLombaard quizzed on why she didn't tell police about alleged plan to sell Joshlin Smith Lombard testified about the statements he took from co-accused Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, before they were arrested a week after Joshlin went missing. Lombard told the court what stood out for him in his interview with Appollis was that he never took part in the initial search for Joshlin and admitted he was using drugs with co-accused Van Rhyn while the search ensued. While questioning Appollis, Lombard said the accused refused to answer when he was questioned about his relationship with Joshlin. Lombard told the court that while questioning Smith, he was shocked when she told him Joshlin was no longer in Saldanha Bay. Lombard said that Smith told him she must go on with her life because she had two other children. He told the court Smith couldn't give him an answer when he asked her how she knew Joshlin was not in Saldanha Bay. Home | Politics The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has won ward one in the Saldanha Bay municipal by-election in the Western Cape according to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) Provincial Electoral Officer Michael Hendrickse confirmed that eight parties contested the by-election in two voting districts in Diazville and Middelpos Hendrickse stated that MK Party candidate Mzwandile Biko secured 36.3% of the votes followed by the African National Congress (ANC) with 26.7% and the Patriotic Alliance (PA) with 19.8% The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) placed fourth A voter turnout of 55% was recorded from the over 6 000 registered voters in the ward [MEDIA STATEMENT]: THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AS MK PARTY’S MZWANDILE SIMON BIKO IS ELECTED TO LEAD MIDDELPOS AND DIAZVILLE INTO A NEW ERA OF PROGRESS — uMkhonto WeSizwe Western Cape Official (@MKWesternCape) March 19, 2025 24 March 2025 — The Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources will conduct an oversight visit to the Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) in Saldanha tomorrow (25 March 2025) and the Astron Energy Refinery in Milnerton on Wednesday (26 March) The purpose of the two-day oversight visit is for the committee to assess Astron Energy Refinery’s readiness for the 2027 clean fuels deadline and The country cannot afford the failure of Astron Energy Refineries the only operating refinery after Sasol’s Secunda Coal-to-Liquid and Sasolburg Gas-to-Liquid refineries The committee recognises the importance of having sufficient petroleum reserves to ensure constant supply during cases of emergency a subsidiary of the Central Energy Fund Group The SFF is responsible for the management and storage of government and privately-owned stocks of crude oil Tomorrow’s programme is as follows: Date: Tuesday 25 March 2025Time: 09:00 to 16:00Venue: Saldanha Terminal - Skurwerug Members of the media are invited to join the committee ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES please contact the committee’s Media Officer: Name: Modise Kabeli (Mr)Parliamentary Communication ServicesCell: 081 715 9969Email: mkabeli@parliament.gov.za Parliament will closely monitor the government’s progress in fulfilling G20 commitments through oversight committees ltito@parliament.gov.za THERE is an opportunity for Freeport Saldanha to set itself up as a marine manufacturing and services hub This is according to the 2024/25 corporate plan for the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) based at Saldanha Bay Freeport Saldanha has long positioned itself as a base for the emerging green hydrogen sector but according to its latest corporate plan it also sees opportunities in the maritime sector It could also offer vessel/rig repair and “green” scrapping services These types of services could generate R570-million in revenue ship fuel upgrades & ‘carbon’ fitment could also be one of its offerings South Africa already has a well established leisure yacht manufacturing sector The plan says having Freeport Saldanha be a base for this sector and provided components could support a market that could grow to R4,2-billion The SEZ also sees the potential in it servicing large commercial vessels like tankers and transport vessels it noted that South Africa’s inability to offer policy certainty hung over its ability to fulfill its potential in the sector “This market demand assessment was undertaken in the context of the current South African socio-economic policy and political framework which necessitated an evaluation of the potential competition opportunities and threats within the traditional PESTEL and SWOT analysis frameworks “Policy uncertainty and a lack of critical service delivery particularly in electricity and state capacity are highlighted as significant risks that could undermine the efforts of Freeport to attract the international market participants and partners that may be required to approach the potential markets highlighted here.” Aside from the national government playing its role the SEZ’s also depends on the Western Cape government’s ability to implement its Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy the maritime activities and initiatives are highly dependent on securing iron-clad agreements with the Port Authority on the port and Freeport’s development and planning.” We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings we will not be able to save your preferences This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again Home » News » South Africa » Courts By Cornelia Le Roux The four accused in the Joshlin Smith’s disappearance case appeared for the last time in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday morning a day after the Saldanha Bay girl would have celebrated her seventh birthday The agonising wait for answers has been prolonged once again as Magistrate Theresa Postma transferred the matter to the Western Cape High Court for a pre-trial conference on 31 January 2025 All charges against Lourentia Lombaard have been withdrawn She will be testifying as a state witness in the upcoming trial state prosecutor Jacques van Zyl revealed in court that she made a confession about the disappearance of Joshlin who is widely known as Renze in the Middelpos community was reportedly the last person to see Joshlin before she mysteriously vanished ALSO READ: Joshlin Smith: Who is ‘Renz’, the fourth accused in disappearance case of Saldanha girl? [Watch] The Saldanha girl has been missing for eight months since 19 February According to IOL, the Vredenburg community held a birthday celebration in the area for Joshlin on Sunday when the little girl would have turned seven An extensive search which has extended as far as the United Kingdom (UK) alongside Interpol was launched to locate the Grade 1 Diazville Primary pupil Her mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and the couple’s friends Steveno van Rhyn and Lombaard were arrested and charged with human trafficking and kidnapping in March this year Appollis and Van Rhyn’s first court appearance on 7 March Senior State Advocate Aradhana Heeramun alleged that Smith instructed Appollis and Van Rhyn to sell Joshlin to another Middelpos man for R20 000 for traditional medicine The two men apparently made this confession after a 36-hour interrogation at Saldanha Police Station The accused stood in the dock with downcast eyes during court proceedings A heavily pregnant and visibly nervous Smith could be seen wiping away the tears while Postma spoke she appears to glance over her shoulder at Appollis before bursting into tears At the four accused’s previous appearance on 16 September, the State called for a postponement as new evidence emerged that needed to be analysed The NPA’s Eric Ntabazalila revealed that between their last appearance in July and September “It’s important evidence which is at a very sensitive stage of investigation and hence we asked for a postponement,” he said at the time ALSO READ: Joshlin Smith: Businessman possible ‘key witness’ as cops reach dead end in search The 33-year-old Smith, who has confessed to being a tik (crystal meth) user, left her daughter in the care of Appollis when she went to do an odd domestic job On her return to the couple’s tin and wooden shack at about 5pm Appollis denies any involvement in her disappearance He claims that the last time he saw her was when she went to play outside Western Cape spokesperson Captain Malcolm Pojie told The Citizen that there has been no new information on the whereabouts of little Joshlin NOW READ: Joshlin Smith: Businessman possible ‘key witness’ as cops reach dead end in search