By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Police Services (SAPS) have confirmed that the house where Joshlin Smith disappeared from was burned down on Friday evening.
This comes after Judge Nathan Erasmus convicted her mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her partner, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, of kidnapping and trafficking in the Western Cape High Court on Friday.
The trio are remanded in custody ahead of sentencing proceedings.
SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant colonel Malcolm Pojie, confirmed that the house in Middelpos, Saldanha, was torched on Friday.
“We can confirm that Saldanha SAPS registered an Arson case for investigation after Kelly Smith’s Middelpos dwelling was destroyed by a fire. An adult female had been taken in for questioning,” said Pojie.
Joshlin was reported missing from her Middelpos home on February 19, 2024. Her disappearance sparked a large-scale manhunt and a months-long investigation that culminated in the arrest of the trio.
The matter was postponed to 9 May when the court will sit in Cape Town to map out sentencing proceedings. At that juncture, the prosecutors and defence will lead evidence on aggravation and mitigation of circumstances.