Investigating officer in Joshlin Smith case to face cross-examination

Investigating officer in Joshlin Smith case to face cross-examination! The investigating officer in the Joshlin Smith case is set to be cross-examined by defence attorneys on Friday as the trial continues.

Detective Captain Wesley Lombard, a seasoned investigator with the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) anti-kidnapping unit, wrapped up his testimony on Thursday. He shared crucial details about the events that led to the arrests of Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Stevano van Rhyn, who are accused of kidnapping and human trafficking related to Joshlin’s disappearance.

Key Testimony from Captain Lombard

During his testimony, Lombard explained how his investigation led him to suspect and eventually arrest Smith and Appollis. He said that their statements to police were inconsistent, raising red flags early in the investigation.

Investigating officer in Joshlin Smith case

Lombard also pointed out that Smith did not behave like a mother who had lost her child, which further deepened his suspicions. According to him, her reaction to questioning was not what investigators would typically expect from a parent of a missing child.

Appollis and Van Rhyn reportedly also implicated Smith, urging police to question her about what happened to Joshlin.

Political and Social Media Interference

In a surprising twist, Lombard also singled out prominent politician Gayton McKenzie and certain social media influencers for interfering with the police investigation.

McKenzie, who later became Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, was vocal on social media about his own search efforts for the missing girl. He used his platform to provide updates to the public, which Lombard says compromised police efforts to gather evidence and new leads.

The officer also highlighted that false information was being spread online, misleading the public into believing that police had called off the search for Joshlin. This led to confusion and made it more difficult for detectives to gather reliable information from the community.

What’s Next?

With Lombard’s testimony concluded, the defence attorneys for Smith, Appollis, and Van Rhyn are set to cross-examine him on Friday. This will be a critical phase in the trial, as the defence will likely attempt to:

• Challenge the credibility of Lombard’s findings

• Cast doubt on the investigation process

• Dispute claims that Smith and her co-accused were directly involved in Joshlin’s disappearance

The defence may also question whether external factors, such as media attention and political involvement, had any influence on the way police handled the case.

Public and Legal Reactions

The case has drawn massive public interest, with many people demanding justice for Joshlin. The involvement of high-profile figures like McKenzie has added further complexity to an already challenging investigation.

Legal experts suggest that Friday’s cross-examination will be crucial in determining how strong the State’s case is. If Lombard can withstand the questioning and maintain the integrity of his investigation, it will strengthen the prosecution’s case against Smith, Appollis, and Van Rhyn.

However, if the defence manages to discredit his testimony or highlight flaws in the investigation, it could create doubts about the accused’s involvement in the crime.

Final Thoughts

As the Joshlin Smith case moves forward, the trial continues to uncover new details about the investigation, the suspects, and the role of social media and political figures in shaping public perception.

With the defence now preparing for cross-examination, all eyes will be on the courtroom to see how Lombard holds up under questioning and whether the prosecution can maintain its case against Smith, Appollis, and Van Rhyn.

For now, the mystery of Joshlin’s disappearance remains unresolved, but the ongoing trial may finally bring answers and justice for the missing child.