Joslin Smith: Witness Says Kelly Was Not at Her House When Joslin Disappeared, CCTV Evidence Shows

• The drama in Joslin Smith's disappearance trial intensified on the seventh day of the trial
• Kelly Smith, her lover Jacquin Appollis and their friend Stevano van Rhyn are on trial and are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking
• A witness claimed that Kelly was not at her house despite claiming that she was there, and CCTV footage reportedly refuted her alibi

With nine years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

SALDANHA BAY, WESTERN CAPE — The testimony a witness provided at the seventh day of Joslin Smith's disappearance trial on 11 March 2025 cast doubt on Kelly Smith's alibi. A woman said that Kelly was not where she claimed she was.

What did the witness say about Kelly's alibi?

Joslin's trial entered the second week after it began on 3 March. Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquin "Boeta" Appollis and their mate Stevano van Rhyn are facing human trafficking and kidnapping charges. They all pleaded not guilty to being involved in her disappearance. The trial is being held at the white City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay.

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Kelly Zeegers, the daughter of Carlien Zeegers, testified. Carlien testified on 10 March and said that Kelly was a good mother to Joslin and her other child. However, Kelly Zeegers seemingly blew Kelly Smith's testimony outside of the water.

Was Kelly at the Zeegers' house?

The court heard that Smith told the police that on the day Joslin disappeared, she was working at the Zeeger home, where she occasionally does domestic work. Zeegers said that the South African Polive Service asked her to review the CCTV footage of the day. Zeeger found footage showing that Smith was at her home.

Zeeger said she checked four hours' worth of footage and checked footage from the previous day, but she did not appear. She said Smith called her the day Joslin disappeared and asked if she was at a spaza shop near the Zeeger house. Zeegers then later called for updates.

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What you need to know about Joslin Smith

• Joslin Smith was reported missing in February 2024 in Diazville, and authorities ramped up their search for the little girl
• Before their arrest, the South African Police Service protected Kelly and Appollis from angry community members who suspected they were involvement
• They were arrested shortly afterwards alongside Van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard, who turned state witness
• During the trial, it emerged that Kelly did drugs on the day Joslin disappeared from her home
• Van Rhyno accused Patriotic Alliance president Gayton McKenzie of forcefully taking him to the police station when he was arrested

SA hopeful for the truth

South Africans commenting on IOL's Facebook page believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Tina Van Winkel said:

"Sothe cookie crumbles. Please let there be justice for Joslin."

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Nolan RE said:

"I can't believe that some people still have a soft spot for Kelly. She's putting us all through hell instead of just telling the truth and nothing but the truth."

Juleen Geland-Muller said:

"The truth is gonna come out."

Sharon Brown said:

"The puzzle is slowly coming together."

Mphoza Mhlola said:

"Oh Lord, give this woman the strength to tell the truth."

Kelly Smith breaks down in court

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Kelly Smith cried in court when Carlien Zeegers gave her testimony. Zeegers was Kelly's former employee, who helped her on occasion with food.

Zeekergs said Kelly was a good mother and had a great relationship with her children. Upon hearing the testimony, Kelly wept.

Source: Briefly News