Court To Rule On Torture Claims In Joshlin Smith Trial

The Western Cape High Court sitting at Saldanha Bay on the West Coast is expected to rule today in a trial within a trial to determine the admissibility of two of the accuseds statements in Joshlin Smiths disappearance case .

Jacquen Appollis and Steveno Van Rhyn allege that they were tortured into making confessions .

Appollis and Van Rhyn gave their statements between March 4 and 5 last year. They, however, contend that their statements were given under duress and that they were tortured by police into making the so-called confessions.

The pair, along with the child's mother, Kelly Smith , are on trial for her disappearance in February last year.

During his cross-examination yesterday, accused number two, Van Rhyn, told the court that he was beaten repeatedly by police officers.