Cape Town — A new state witness in the Joshlin Smith trial has revealed that Kelly Smith was not where she had claimed to be on the day that her daughter disappeared.
Joshlin Smith disappeared from her home in Middelpos on 19 February 2024, and more than one year later, the trial for her disappearance continues as the State seeks to learn what happened to her. The trial is currently in its second week after it was moved to Saladanha Bay to allow residents better access to the case.
The new state witness, Kelly Zeegers, took to the stand on Tuesday and revealed that Kelly Smith sometimes worked for Zeegers’ mother, Carlien, who testified in court that Smith was a good mother despite her shortcomings. Zeegers also recalled the night that Joshlin first went missing, The Citizen reported.
Zeegers said Smith had asked if Joshlin was at a tuckshop near her home, but she was not. Zeegers later called Smith to find out if Joshlin was back home, but she said two children claimed Joshlin walked into the bushes with two men.
Zeegers also claimed that CCTV footage showed Smith was nowhere near her home on 19 February 2024, which comes after Smith said she worked for Zeegers on that day.
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According to IOL, Zeegers said she felt something was not right on the day that Joshlin disappeared and revealed her thoughts when she found out Joshlin was not at the tuckshop.
“I went there, but there was no one. Kelly also asked me to check if Natasha’s vehicle was there, but it wasn’t. She then told me Joshlin was gone but didn’t know where she was. I told her the shop was locked.”
Later that evening, Zeegers called Kelly again to check for updates.
“She said there was nothing but that two kids claimed they had seen Joshlin walking into the bushes with two men. I kept calling until around 10pm. They told me they were on their way to speak to one of the men. They were also searching the house and asked me to come down, but I refused because I couldn’t leave the children alone, especially with load shedding,” she said.
Zeegers added that she later heard Smith calling out for Joshlin around midnight.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
