Racquel Chantel Smith appeared in court with heavily bandaged ankles on Monday as her trial for kidnapping and human trafficking continued. The court heard that police questioned traditional healers in their search for her missing daughter, Joshlin.
Smith, who is on trial alongside her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, and co-accused Steveno van Rhyn, struggled to walk in leg shackles during an inspection at Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay last week.
Detective-Constable Refilwe Sekhobe, a member of the family violence, child protection, and sexual offences unit, testified about her investigation at the shack where Smith lived with her three children and Appollis. She revealed that on February 20 last year, she learned that a woman named Lourentia “Renz” Lombaard had been at the shack smoking Mandrax the day Joshlin disappeared.
Initially treated as a suspect, Lombaard was later cleared of charges. However, police followed leads from Van Rhyn, who claimed Lombaard left with Joshlin and never returned. He suggested that Lombaard’s partner may have handed the child over to a sangoma. Police investigated traditional healers in the area but found no trace of Joshlin.
Sekhobe described Van Rhyn’s erratic behavior during questioning, stating that he was emotional, alternating between smiling and shouting. His official statement was recorded on February 29 at the Saldanha police station.
Earlier testimony from investigating officer Sgt Meyer Milstein described Smith as relatively calm while participating in search efforts. However, her attorney, Rinesh Sivnarain, argued that she remained composed because her family had advised her to, in order to assist police. He added that Smith, who has pleaded not guilty, has been taking antidepressants since Joshlin, then six years old, disappeared.
With all three accused denying involvement, the trial continues as the search for Joshlin remains unresolved.
