Joshlin Smith trial: State insists 6-year-old was sold for R20k in closing arguments

The state in the Joshlin Smith trial has stressed that the testimonies of two witnesses support the claim that the six-year-old girl was sold to a sangoma for R20 000.

The trial involving Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, and her co-accused, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, resumed on Tuesday at the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha Bay, where both the state and defence delivered their closing arguments.

The trio stands accused of human trafficking and kidnapping in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance on 19 February 2024 from the Middelpos informal settlement.

All three have pleaded not guilty.

Joshlin Smith trial: Prosecution highlights corroborating testimonies

State prosecutor Advocate Zelda Swanepoel presented the case before Judge Nathan Erasmus, pointing out that the strongest corroboration of the prosecution’s key witness, Lourentia “Rens” Lombard, came from the testimony of evangelist Nico Steven Coetzee.

Coetzee had previously testified that in August 2023, Kelly Smith told him she would accept R5 000 if R20 000 could not be paid.

He also shared that Kelly mentioned the Middelpos area would resemble a movie scene in January or February the following year.

“The fact that Mr Coetzee specifically refers to R20 000 is of great importance.

“Ms Lombard’s testimony is that she overhears when Kelly tells Boeta, ‘Here is the money I got from the sangoma.’ He asks, ‘How much is it?’ and she answers, ‘It’s R20 000.’

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“Mr Coetzee also refers to this R20 000. That’s what Kelly told him. It’s the testimony of Rens,” the prosecutor said.

Swanepoel further pointed out that both Appollis and Van Rhyn have referenced the R20 000 amount.

“All I’m saying is that lends corroboration, but it also indicates the necessary knowledge of the fact that there was this transaction and that we know we are going to get money from it.”

Additionally, she emphasised that Van Rhyn admitted Joshlin was sold for muthi.

“Stefano was the first person to mention that Joshlin might have been sold to a sangoma for muthi purposes.”

Watch the trial below:

Defence disputes confession and witness credibility

In contrast, Advocate Fanie Harmse, representing Appollis, maintained that his client never confessed to any involvement in Joshlin’s disappearance or in any financial exchange.

“The bottom line of accused one’s version that he gave evidence about is that he was told what to say,” Harmse said, referring to Appollis’ confession statement.

“The confession or extra-curial statement being admitted [as evidence] proves that it was made, but not [that what] was written in there is the truth,” Harmse added.

READ MORE: Joshlin Smith trial: Accused says he was hung up and beaten by police before confession

Appollis previously testified in a trial-within-a-trial that his confession was coerced through physical assault by police officers.

He also admitted that he had added his own details to a fabricated story allegedly given to him by police.

Meanwhile, Harmse further cast doubt on Lombard’s credibility by highlighting inconsistencies in her testimony.

“She said she could hear what they were saying, then she corrected that.”

Erasmus is expected to deliver his judgment on Friday.