NPA says it has a strong case against Joshlin Smith's mother and two co-accused

CAPE TOWN - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the state has a strong case against missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith's mother and her two co-accused.

Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn appeared in the Western Cape High Court on Friday where they face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking related to Joshlin's disappearance.

READ: Still no trace of Joshlin Smith one year after her disappearance

The little girl has been missing for a year after disappearing from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay in February last year.

Judge Nathan Erasmus told the court that the trial would be held at the Saldanha Bay multi-purpose center from March 3 to 28.

NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says defence attorneys will be meeting the accused next week to prepare for the trial.

"As the State, we are ready to start with the trial. All our ducks are in a row. We are ready to start. We'll be waiting for the defence and hope that they are also ready."