Joshlin Smith trial: Detective denies being present during alleged torture of Van Rhyn

CAPE TOWN - A detective has denied various details related to the alleged torture of one of the accused in the Joshlin Smith trial.

A defence attorney cross-examined the detective on Wednesday about the interrogation of her client, Stevano van Rhyn, in March 2024.

Van Rhyn, along with Jacquen Appollis and Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, are on trial for Joshlin's disappearance.

The detective in the anti-kidnapping unit, Sergeant Dawid Fortuin, denied being present when Van Rhyn was allegedly tortured by police colleagues.

Van Rhyn and co-accused Appollis insist they were beaten by police and threatened with death to admit they were involved in Joshlin's disappearance.

In confession statements, they claim Kelly Smith instructed them to leave Joshlin with Phumza Sigaqa, a former accused in the matter, on the day the child went missing.

Van Rhyn and Appollis insist police told them to implicate Smith and Sigaqa in the ordeal.

Fortuin has also denied that the accused were present when police went to fetch Sigaqa for questioning.

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