The emotional intensity surrounding the case reached fever pitch on Thursday as an inspection in loco was conducted at Middelpos, the impoverished community where Joshlin was last seen. Judge Nathan Erasmus, legal counsel, and the accused visited various locations within the area to gain a better understanding of the evidence presented in court.
The visit was met with fury from local residents, who vented their anger and frustration at Kelly Smith. As the accused arrived, restrained and under heavy police guard, they were met with a barrage of insults and demands for answers.
"Say where the child is! I have a disabled child, and I wouldn't even sell my child. You are rubbish and scum! Tell the police where the f***ing child is, you pig! You are not a f***ing mother! Tell the f***ing people where the child is!" one resident shouted, encapsulating the community's raw emotions.
Another resident told Kelly she was "a pathetic excuse for a mother" and demanded that Judge Erasmus ensure she never saw the light of day again. "Enjoy the walkabout, Kelly, because this will be the last time you ever set foot here in Middelpos. You are an embarrassment to society," the resident added.
As the entourage made its way to the shack where Joshlin lived, a large group of residents emerged from their homes to witness the commotion. Many captured photos and videos of the accused walking with cuffs around their ankles.
"Kelly, please, man, we are suffering here because of you. Just tell us all where Joshlin is," pleaded another resident, highlighting the community's pain and desperation for closure.
Looking at her former home, a shocked Kelly whispered: "Oh my word, look at how my house looks," as police officers tightly held onto her arms. The scene surrounding the shack painted a picture of squalor, with empty chip packets, nappies, vegetable peels, plastic bottles, cigarette butts, dog faeces, and dirty clothes scattered in the high grass.
Judge Erasmus appeared visibly shocked as he was shown the shack where the Smith family once lived, taking notes of the conditions described by investigating officer Captain Wesley Lombard. Lombard explained that all the areas visited were within walking distance of Kelly's house and that the close proximity of the shacks made it "impossible" for vehicles to enter.
The inspection also included a visit to the house where the accused allegedly bought drugs and took items to be sold for money, further highlighting the complex social issues at play in the case.
As the entourage walked the streets of Middelpos, the air was thick with the smell of onions and garlic as women left their cooking pots to catch a glimpse of the accused and the heavily armed police officers.
"Yoh Kelly, look at yourself, you not even embarrassed to be back here. You must hang your head in shame. You don't deserve to be a mother," one resident exclaimed, encapsulating the community's condemnation of Kelly's alleged actions.
The police struggled to control the growing crowd, eventually blocking off access to prevent them from getting closer to Kelly.
Once the inspection was completed, the police escorted the accused back to their vehicles. Kelly broke down in tears upon realising she was being returned to the holding cells. She also complained that the cuffs around her feet were causing her pain and bleeding, requiring medical assistance upon her return to court.
Earlier in the day, the court heard testimony from Saldanha Bay police station commander Lieutenant-Colonel Lincoln Sebola, who stated that Kelly had told people her child had made her famous. Sebola expressed his concern about Kelly's behaviour as a parent.
The first investigating officer in the case, Sergeant Meyer Milstein from the Vredeburg Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit, also took the stand on Thursday. He testified that he arrived at Middelpos at about 1pm on February 20, 2024, and was introduced to Kelly Smith, the mother of the missing child, and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis.
"I learnt the boyfriend had been the last person to see Joshlin as the mother left her in his care. I obtained a statement from Mr Appollis," Sergeant Milstein said.
He said an initial search was conducted and they had started deploying resources. "We deployed members of the K9 Unit. I was assisted by a member who had a search and rescue dog, as well as a body fluid detection dog – also referred to as a biology dog," he said.
Sergeant Milstein said they uncovered some evidence while searching the shack. "We searched the residence and the biology dog identified a pillowcase and a bed sheet. We inspected it and it had stains that resembled blood. These items were collected by members of the Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC). He also photographed the scene. Upon further investigation, I also discovered a child-sized pink flip flop. It was relevant as it aligned with the clothing description of the child given by Ms Smith," Sergeant Milstein testified.
He told the court that Kelly had left the two older children in Appollis’ care. When she came home from work, she found that Joshlin was missing and went to the police that evening to report the case. "She informed me Joshlin’s brother was also left in Appollis’ care. The younger sister went to creche. The reason she provided for the children not going to school was that the children were sick," Sergeant Milstein said.
When asked about Kelly’s demeanour, he said: "She was relatively calm when I spoke to her. Not crying during the first interview", while Appollis, he described as being ‘neutral’.
Sergeant Milstein also described the shack on the inside. "It’s sub-divided into two rooms. On entry, the one room is used as a lounge area. To the left, adjacent to the lounge area, it seemed like a bedroom. It was very messy inside the shack. The room had a big bed. On top of the bed were lots of clothing and bedding," he testified.
Sergeant Milstein said he only saw one bed in the shack and the recovered bed sheet and pillow case came from that bed. He also stated that the recovered items were not soaked, there were blood stains and smudges.
The trial continues on Friday, with Sergeant Milstein expected to further his evidence in chief and another police officer set to take the stand. The search for Joshlin Smith remains ongoing, with the community desperate for answers and justice.
