The trial into the disappearance of seven-year-old Joslin Smith is set to commence on Monday (3 March) at the Circuit High Court in Saldanha Bay.
Her mother, Kelly Smith, along with co-accused Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, are facing charges of kidnapping and trafficking.
Joslin, a Grade 1 student at Diazville Primary School, went missing from the Middelpos informal settlement on 19 February 2024.
Speaking to VOC News, Saldanha Bay community leader Vernon Vraagom expressed the community’s eagerness for the trial to unfold.
“We are in big anticipation as to what is going to take place over the next few days and the rest of the month. The community will be present today at the multi-purpose hall in White City,” he said.
However, the court has limited the attendance to 150 community members.
“We are looking forward to hearing some truth coming from the mouths of the accused,” added Vraagom.
Media coverage of the trial will be permitted but under strict guidelines.
VOC News
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