By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Four suspects linked to the disappearance of a six-year-old child Joslin Smith on the Cape west coast, appeared in the Vredenburg magistrate’s court on Monday.
The girl’s mother, Racquel Chantel Smith, known as Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, close friend Steveno van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombard face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.
Joslin has been missing since February this year while in the care of her mother’s boyfriend.
Magistrate Yolisa Sikhoyo postponed the hearing to continue the investigations.
“Due to the amount of the investigation that is still outstanding, your matter is going to be postponed again to give the state an opportunity to complete its investigation,” he said.
“The date agreed to between the state and the defence is the 16th of September for further investigation. You are all in custody until then.”
The case was postponed to September 16. The matter will be tried at the high court in Cape Town.
Meanwhile newly elected Sports Minister, Gayton McKenzie, announced that he will donate 100% of his parliamentary salary to the Joshlin Smith Foundation for missing children.
The Patriotic Alliance leader is set to earn R2.68 million annually from his ministerial position and is expected to occupy the post for the next five years. Had he remained an ordinary Member of Parliament, his salary would have remained at R1.27 million.
McKenzie said he was not in it for the money; his goal was to change people’s lives.
“One hundred per cent of my salary I’m giving it to the Joshlin Smith Foundation for missing children for the duration of my stay in Parliament, 100% of my salary not 80% or 50%…Because I’m not here for money, I’m here to change the lives of our people,” he said.
The community and activists have continued searching for Smith, despite having no leads after all this time.