Missing Joshlin Smith case: Police use stun grenades, teargas to disperse crowd gathered outside court

JOHANNESBURG - Scuffles broke out outside the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday morning, where missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother and her co-accused are set to appear for bail application.

A group of residents clashed with police outside the courthouse a short while ago trying to go through barbed wire put in place for crowd control.

Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse the group demanding justice for the little girl.

Residents expressed anger at the police's handling of the case.

Eyewitness News understands that they were also upset that members of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), were not allowed into court. 

Last week one of the PA’s social media influences disrupted proceedings.

Joshlin's mother faces charges of kidnapping and human trafficking related to her daughter’s disappearance.

The little girl has been missing for 23 days from her family home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay.

She was left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend who could not account for the child's whereabouts.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says the state is determined to keep the four suspects behind bars.

“We wanted to get more information on the accused in case they want to apply for bail. But if they do apply for bail, we will oppose it.”