Tensions escalated outside the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court as the Joshlin Smith case took a new turn.
Watch: Violent clashes break out outside Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court
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The atmosphere outside the Vredenburg Magistrates Court became charged and volatile as four suspects linked to the disappearance of Joshlin Smith were scheduled to appear.
The police found themselves in a standoff with protesters, deploying stun grenades in an attempt to disperse the crowd.
This action led to a fiery exchange, with protesters retaliating by hurling stones at law enforcement officers. The court premises were heavily fortified, encircled with barbed wire, in anticipation of the unrest.
The confrontation intensified when the Patriotic Alliance leader, known as ‘Oom Biza,’ was forcibly prevented from entering the courthouse without the necessary media accreditation.
His live-streamed altercation with the police, capturing the intense moment he was manhandled, sparked outrage among his supporters and fueled the protests.
As tensions soared, accredited media personnel were quickly escorted into the court building, under the watchful eyes of the police and amidst the chaos unfolding outside.
By the time of reporting, the court proceedings were yet to commence.
Joshlin Smith latest news: Suspects back on the dock
The ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Joshlin Smith saw a significant development as four suspects, including Joshlin’s mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, returned to the dock.
The case, drawing national attention, involves Kelly, her partner Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqa, who face charges of kidnapping and trafficking the six-year-old girl, last seen on Monday, 19 February 2024.
The case has gripped the nation, with each court appearance unravelling more about the circumstances surrounding Joshlin’s disappearance.