Missing Joshlin Smith's mother, Kelly Smith, appeared at the Vredenburg Magistrates Court today alongside her boyfriend, Jacquen Appolis, and co-accused Steveno van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard. The four who are accused of being involved in the disappearance of the minor in February appeared briefly and the court heard that the state was still busy with investigations.

EVIDENCE 

State advocate Aradhana Heeramun told the court that they were following all leads and still busy investigating. "All info being retrieved by SAPS is being followed up. Forensic reports have been received and cellphone data has been downloaded." Heeramun then asked the court for a postponement in order to finalise their investigations. The defence lawyers of the accused did not object to the postponement.

THREE MONTHS ANDTHREE DAYS

Kelly reported Joshlin's disappearance from their home at Middlebos Informal Settlement in Saldanha Bay on February 19, claiming that she left the minor in the care of her boyfriend and co-accused ,Appollis, when she went to work. Since then, an intensive search for Joshlin ,involving police, municipal teams and community organisations has been ongoing but unfortunately the child is still missing. Police Minister Bheki Cele said a ship was searched in London some weeks ago with the belief that Joslin could be inside. "It's an awkward and painful case, especially after visiting the family and community. I found a very united community even when there were politics, but everybody agreed that the biggest matter was to find Joshlin … the South African Police, working with their sister organisations, have expanded the net, "said Cele.