Saldanha Bay, March 6 – Two of the accused in the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith have alleged they were tortured by police into confessing that they sold the child.
During court proceedings on Wednesday, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn claimed that they were subjected to severe physical abuse before being forced to admit involvement in the crime.
Allegations of Police Brutality
Appollis and Van Rhyn, along with Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking linked to the little girl’s disappearance.
However, the two men maintain their innocence and insist that their confessions were extracted under duress.
According to their plea explanations, they were:
- Handcuffed and suspended in mid-air by police officers.
- Suffocated with plastic bags placed over their heads.
- Beaten until they feared for their lives.
“We confessed because we were afraid we would be killed,” Appollis and Van Rhyn told the court.
Trial Continues in Western Cape High Court
The case, which has gripped the nation, is being heard in the Western Cape High Court, currently sitting at the Saldanha Bay multi-purpose centre.
Joshlin Smith has been missing since February, and her disappearance has sparked widespread concern. The trial continues as the accused seek to challenge the State’s case against them.