As the Joshlin Smith trial moves into Day 30, the court is expected to continue with the trial-within-a-trial proceedings that determine whether the alleged confessions by Steveno van Rhyn and Jacquen Appollis will be admissible as evidence.
What to expect from the Joshlin Smith trial on Day 30
Focus will likely remain on Steveno’s cross-examination, with defence advocates challenging the circumstances under which his statement was made, particularly the alleged use of threats or coercion during his interrogation.
This cross-examination is expected to delve deeper into the police handling of his interview and any contradictions between the statement’s content and how it was obtained.
Given the significance of this testimony in linking Steveno to the events of 19 February 2024—the day Joshlin disappeared—the court is taking time to evaluate the validity of these statements.
Judge Nathan Erasmus has signalled the importance of resolving the admissibility question before moving forward with other state witnesses or broader trial proceedings.
Moreover, court scheduling hints that if Steveno’s cross-examination concludes early, the next phase of witness testimony may commence.
Viewers tuning into the live stream can expect continued focus on how police secured the confessions, the timeline surrounding the accused’s interviews, and whether procedures adhered to legal standards.
Readers can follow the live trial coverage today as the courtroom battle intensifies.
Recap of Day 29: Key testimonies and new revelations
Day 29 of the Joshlin Smith trial centred around the continued testimony of Steveno van Rhyn, with attention locked on his disputed confession to police regarding the alleged sale of Joshlin Smith.
During cross-examination by his legal representative, Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, Steveno denied providing the statement voluntarily and challenged nearly every material detail within it.
The day began with the judge confirming that Kelly Smith, who remains hospitalised, was still unable to attend proceedings, though the trial continued in her absence.
The spotlight remained on Steveno’s video-recorded interview from 5 March 2024, in which he allegedly confessed that Joshlin was handed over to a sangoma identified as Makalima (Phumza Sigaqa).
According to that version, Kelly asked Jacquen to deliver the child to Makalima in exchange for money.
However, under cross-examination, Steveno distanced himself from that narrative. He claimed the voice in the video did not sound like his and that he had no knowledge of such a deal.
He maintained that he was confused and exhausted during the interview and reiterated his earlier statement that he never spoke to Captain Seekoei willingly. When asked why he appeared calm and cooperative in the footage, Steveno responded that he was merely following instructions from officers who had allegedly threatened him beforehand.
Mkabayi pressed him on key moments in the video, including references to “a man in a red T-shirt” and “Boeta.” Steveno dismissed these as unclear or unrelated to the events he personally witnessed.
At several points, his testimony became emotional, with the accused claiming he had been falsely implicated and had no involvement in Joshlin’s disappearance.
Judge Erasmus repeatedly stressed the importance of clarity and warned the defence against circular questioning. The session ended with the judge requesting transcripts of both the audio and video materials played in court.
The trial continues to navigate this critical phase, with the outcome of the trial-within-a-trial likely to influence how much weight the court gives to the accused’s statements as evidence.