The mother of missing six-year-old Joslin Smith and three others are expected back in court TODAY.

WHAT IS THE LATEST IN THE CASE OF MISSING JOSLIN SMITH?

Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquine (Boeta) Appolis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Lourentia Lombaard are all expected back in court next week.

They face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping.

Meanwhile, there is still NO new updates in the case of Joslin. She has been missing for more than two months now.

According to police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg the case remains under investigation.

He added that there are no new developments to report at this stage.

A clip of a smiling Kelly Smith – the mother of missing Saldanha Bay girl Joslin Smith – has triggered backlash on social media.

In it, the pregnant woman accused of child trafficking and kidnapping shows off her baby bump and new hairstyle in court.

Kelly and three others – boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis and pals Steveno van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard – make their third appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Monday, 13 May

The accused are expected to return to court on 15 July pending further investigation.

Six-year-old Joslin Smith went missing from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement on 19 February. She has yet to be found.

JOSLIN SMITH’S MOM SHOWS OFF BABY BUMP

In clips posted on social media, Joslin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, and her co-accused made a brief appearance in the court.

Her hair is straightened, and she sports a smile, and she greets those gathered in the court gallery. Most noticeable is her baby bump, which has since “popped.”

When a reporter asks her if she “sold” Joslin, Kelly shakes her head.

“What happened to her?” asks the reporter. “Ask him,” Kelly responds, pointing to her co-accused, Steveno van Rhyn. Steveno shrugs his shoulders when asked the same question.

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According to former accused Phumza Sigaqa, Kelly Smith confirmed her pregnancy while they both were in police custody.

In the comments section, South Africans bemoaned the accused’s appearance and carefree attitude.

“Are they in prison or a hotel?”

“Why do they get a luxury life in prison? It’s wrong.”

“Kelly looks happy. Even her hair is straightened. She must be living the good life.”

“They look well, living on taxpayer money while Joslin is still missing. We don’t even know if she is still alive, hungry or cold”.
Joslin Smith’s paternal grandmother has spoken about her anger towards Kelly Smith. Images via Facebook: Gayton McKenzie

POLICE INVESTIGATION: THE LATEST

During the court appearance, state advocate Aradhana Heeramun revealed that forensic evidence and cellphone data are being investigated, claimed the SABC.

She said: “The State is in the process of analysing data.

“Depending on the outcome of the investigation, the State will be in a better position to indicate the status of the investigation”.

In recent weeks, several leads have been followed up on, including searching various properties in the Saldanha Bay area.

However, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Malcolm Pojie has stated that there are no new developments.

He told Cape Argus:” “No new arrests have been made. The investigation is still ongoing, and the possibility of other suspects being arrested as the investigation unfolds cannot be ruled out. The search for Joshlin continues.

WHAT HAPPENS TO BABIES BORN IN POLICE CUSTODY/PRISON? 

Under South African law, children born to female offenders and those in custody are permitted to stay with their mothers until the age of two years old.

According to GroundUp, Pollsmoor Prison – where Joslin Smith’s pregnant mom is being kept in custody – has a special Baby Mother Unit (BMU).

The publication states that the unit consists of a large house with a garden, a creche next door, and an indoor play area with toys and picture books.

The BMU – established in 2011 – can provide lodging for eighteen mothers and their babies at a time.

POLICE SAY THERE ARE NO NEW DEVELOPMENTS TO REPORT

Meanwhile, Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie the reward of R1 million for information that could help find Joslin is still on the table.

He said they receive a lot of anonymous calls and messages from people enquiring if the reward is still on offer.

THE R1 MILLION REWARD IS STILL ON THE TABLE

“I want to publicly state again that the offer is still standing; whoever tells us where Joshlin is shall be paid one million rands immediately without any questions asked; at this stage, we just want our rainbow daughter.

“The one million is yours if you know where Joshlin is. Pls find it in your heart to come out with the truth because somewhere out there is someone who knows something.”

Joslin, from Diazville in Saldanha Bay, went missing on 19 February 2024 while in the care of her mother’s boyfriend.

The search for Joslin, which is still ongoing, brought individuals, NGOs, community activists, police officials, neighbourhood watches and representatives from different spheres of government together in the quest to find the missing Joslin.

HERE IS EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE CASE SO FAR:

Here are the latest developments in the search:

Six-year-old Joslin was last seen on Monday, 19 February. She was officially reported missing on 20 February.
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton Mckenzie said the reward will be increased to R1 million on Monday.
Joslin’s school, Diazville Primary School, has urged parents to keep a close eye on their “precious possessions”.
Last week, a 32-year-old woman was also formally charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.
Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquine (Boeta) Appolis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqo are charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.
The trio is expected back in court on 13 May.
There was no sign of any alleged assault on Kelly when she appeared in court.
The state has withdrawn charges against the accused number four, Phumza Sigaqa.
Bloodied clothing was found and has been sent for forensic testing. Police said the forensic lab results are not in yet.
The City of Cape Town has dispatched policing resources in the past month. These include investigators, K9 unit search dogs, Marine Unit members and watercraft, and experienced search and rescue volunteers. Drones will support these teams’ search efforts.
The Western Cape’s social development department in Saldanha Bay has intervened to keep Joslin’s siblings safe.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie announced that the search for six-year-old Joslin had been scaled down as the focus now shifts to following up on leads.
Reporters asked Kelly, Joslin’s mother, about allegations of drug abuse inside the family home. Kelly admitted that she and her boyfriend smoked tik but said she had been “clean for a week since Joslin went missing.”
Authorities searched a ship in London in April based on information suggesting Joslin could have been aboard. Interpol assisted with the search on the ship. She was not found.