True healing for Saldanha Bay can only come if Joshlin Smith found - residents
Saldanha Bay resident, Saul Facolyn, said the case had left many unanswered questions.
FILE: Community members gathered outside the Vredenburg Magistrates court on 15 July 2024 as missing Joshlin Smith's mother and three others accused of being involved in her disappearance made another appearance. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/EWN
CAPE TOWN - Saldanha Bay residents said that true healing for the community could only come if six-year-old Joshlin Smith was found.
A year-and-a-half after her disappearance, the Western Cape High Court granted State witness, Lourentia Lombaard, immunity from prosecution, while refusing leave to appeal for her three co-accused, convicted of kidnapping and trafficking the child.
Judge Nathan Erasmus said that Lombaard’s testimony was crucial to securing convictions, despite residents feeling that justice remained incomplete.
Saldanha Bay resident, Saul Facolyn, said the case had left many unanswered questions.
"They will heal if they find that poor child still alive. The main thing is that they must find Joshlin and the community will be satisfied."