Cape Town — Chaos descended on the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court as police were forced to use teagras and stun grenades to fend off angry community members, as the four suspects linked to Joshlin Smith’s disappearance made their second court appearance.
Kelly Smith, Jacquin Appollis, Steveno Van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa appeared in court on Wednesday morning to await their verdict, while hundreds gathered outside. Police on-hand were required to act quickly to calm the crowds down and resorted to using stun grenades and teargas as the crowds threatened to enter the court.
Community members felt agrieved that they were fired at as they said their only concern was that of Joshlin, adding that they just want her safe return. One communtiy member lambasted police for shooting at them, while another said the community just wants her safe return.
[WATCH] Police fire teargas to disperse crowds demanding to be allowed inside the court where four people, including Joshlin Smith’s mother, are set to appear in connection with the six-year-old girl’s disappearance.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/6enCHx0gOU
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 13, 2024
During the court proceedings, it was revealed the charges against the alleged sangoma, Phumza Sigaqa, have been dropped. The court also heard that the other three have all dropped their bail applications. The state confirmed it had withdrawn the charges against Sigaqa but the others still face charges of trafficking in persons and kidnapping, IOL reported.
The State told the court there were still a number of outstanding documentation pertaining to the investigation such as cell phone data and witness statements. The matter has been postponed for two months until 13 May.
The accused in the case of the disappearance of Joshlin Smith have abandoned bail. Accused 4 Phumza Sigaqa was freed after charges against her were withdrawn. Meanwhile, the search continues. @Nasiphi_Same speaks to Community Safety MEC Reagan Allen.https://t.co/hGZm5dlQZN pic.twitter.com/hX7HzLSzRE
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 13, 2024
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: X/@paulvin_webster
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Matthew Petersen
