The trial into the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith resumes today in the High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay, with Colonel Riaan Morris, a state witness, expected to take the stand.
Joshlin vanished in February last year, sparking national concern. Her mother, Kelly Smith, along with co-accused Jacquen Appollis and Steveno Van Rhyn, are facing serious charges of kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with her disappearance.
During proceedings on Monday, defence attorney Rinesh Sivnarain, representing Kelly Smith, expressed frustration over what he described as repetitive and unproductive questioning of his client. Sivnarain argued that the constant grilling of Smith had left her emotionally drained and irritated, without yielding any progress in the investigation.
“She did mention, my Lord, that she had also conducted interviews with others… and that being asked the same questions repeatedly caused her frustration and anger,” Sivnarain said during the cross-examination of Police Captain Wesley Lombard.
The trial continues under intense public scrutiny, with many hoping for answers in a case that has gripped the nation and left a young child still unaccounted for.