Joshlin Smith: Detective denies knowing about 2 of the accused being tortured before their arrests
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking related to the case.
Day 5 of the trial related to the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith continued in Saldanha Bay on 7 March 2025 where Joshlin’s mother Kelly Smith, Stevano van Rhyn and Jacquen Appollis are charged for allegedly selling the girl to an unknown woman in February last year. Picture: Carlo Petersen/EWN
SALDANHA BAY - A detective investigating the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith was questioned on Friday about allegations that two of the accused were tortured to admit they were involved in the girl's disappearance.
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking related to the case.
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The State's fourth witness was cross-examined in the trial being held in the Western Cape High Court sitting at the Saldanha Multi-Purpose Centre.
The State’s fourth witness, Detective Sergeant Meyer Milstein says after interviewing the accused throughout the week after Joshlin disappeared, it became clear they were lying. CP pic.twitter.com/Bx1UFYLexe
— EWN Reporter (@ewnreporter) March 7, 2025
Child protection unit detective, Sergeant Meyer Milstein, on Friday denied having any knowledge of two of the accused being tortured before they were arrested.
Defence attorney for accused number three, Van Rhyn, asked Milstein whether he was in Jacobsbaai on 4 March last year.
Van Rhyn and co-accused, Appollis, claim that police tortured them at Jacobsbaai Beach and the sea border control offices at Saldanha Bay Harbour on that day.
The accused claim they admitted to being involved in Joshlin's disappearance because they feared police would kill them.
Milstein denied being in Jacobsbaai or having any knowledge of the accused being tortured.
The trial continues.