The Western Cape police have made another arrest about the disappearance of 6-year-old Joshlin Smith. This recent arrest brings the total number of individuals detained concerning the case to five.
The 32-year-old woman is scheduled to appear in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday. According to reports, the woman was apprehended on Friday and is facing charges related to human trafficking and kidnapping.
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Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie stated that while another suspect has been arrested, the possibility of additional arrests has not been ruled out as the investigation progresses.
Last week, four individuals made their second appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court.
These individuals include Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, Steveno Van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqa. They are all facing charges of trafficking and kidnapping.
During the court proceedings, the state informed the court that the accused had abandoned their bail application. Additionally, the prosecutor confirmed that charges against Sigaqa, who is suspected of being a sangoma, would be withdrawn.
Sigaqa, who expressed fear and embarrassment following her arrest, has since gone into hiding.
Sigaqa explained that she felt the need to go into hiding due to the community’s perception of her as the sangoma involved in the trafficking of Joshlin. The case has been postponed to the 13th of May to allow for further investigation and the retrieval of cellphone data.
Despite ongoing efforts, there is still no sign of Joshlin Smith, almost a month after she disappeared from Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape while under the care of her mother’s boyfriend.
During recent random searches, her clothing, allegedly stained with blood, was discovered in an open field.
These items have been sent to a forensic laboratory for DNA analysis, hopefully providing further insight into the case. The investigation continues as authorities work tirelessly to uncover the truth behind Joshlin’s disappearance.
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