The trial into the disappearance of Joshlin Smith took a dramatic turn on Tuesday afternoon when the father of the missing child, José Emke, collapsed in court. Emke had been observing the proceedings at the Western Cape High Court in the White City Multipurpose Centre, Saldanha Bay, when he suddenly lost his balance and fell to the side around 2 p.m.
Witnesses described the heart-wrenching moment when Emke, who had been sitting beside his mother Louretta Yon, collapsed. A community member rushed to help him, and court orderlies quickly assisted, taking him outside the courtroom for further medical attention.
The emotional incident occurred during the seventh day of the trial, where Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeata” Appollis, and friend Steveno van Rhyn face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.
Joshlin, a six-year-old from Middelpos, went missing on 19 February 2024 while under the care of Appollis. Kelly Smith claimed she was at work when her daughter disappeared, leaving many unanswered questions and raising suspicion.
Just prior to Emke’s collapse, a social worker, Siliziwe Mbambo, was giving testimony about Kelly’s refusal to stay at a shelter offered to her. Mbambo shared that Kelly had declined a place at the shelter, opting instead to travel to Cape Town, saying a political party had arranged support for her and her children.
“On the first time we offered (her a place at) the shelter, she said she was on her way to destress in Cape Town – a political party had arranged that for Kelly and her children,” Mbambo testified. “We informed Ms. Smith the shelter was available for her and her children, and that when she returns, she should contact me and law enforcement.”
The trial, filled with heart-wrenching testimony and tragic details, continues as the search for justice for Joshlin remains at the forefront of the court’s proceedings.
