Joshlin Case Drama As Court Adjourned Over Sudden Illness

The trial into the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith took an unexpected pause when her mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, fell ill while the investigating officer was testifying.

While Captain Wesley Lombard was on the stand at the Western Cape High Court sitting in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, Kelly signaled a court orderly to pass a message to her lawyer. At around 10am, her attorney, Rinesh Sivnarain, informed Judge Nathan Erasmus that she was feeling nauseous and might vomit. The proceedings were temporarily halted, with Erasmus announcing that the trial would resume at noon, as per IOL .

Kelly, along with her boyfriend Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis and their friend Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn, faces charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. They have all pleaded guilty, while co-accused Lourentia Lombaard turned state witness, spending nine days on the stand.

During his testimony, Lombard highlighted discrepancies in the statements given by Kelly, Boeta, and Joshlin's brother about the day she vanished. Kelly initially told police she had left for work at 9am, leaving Joshlin and her brother in Boeta's care. She claimed that when she returned at 1:50pm, Boeta was gone, and only two children remained. Upon asking about Joshlin's whereabouts, they said they didn't know, prompting a search with police.

Boeta's version contradicted hers, stating that he had bathed the children, done laundry, and that Kelly had briefly come home around 11am before leaving again. He claimed that Joshlin had dressed herself in a light blue shirt, jean shorts, and pink flip-flops before walking off upset around 2pm-the last time he saw her.