Joslin Smith Trial: Joslin’s Father Jose Emke Collapses in Court During Testimony

• Joslin Smith's father, Jose Emke, was so severely affected by the proceedings of his missing daughter's trial that he fell twice
• He was present during the seventh day of the trial, and when he was listening to the testimony of the social worker, he collapsed
• Joslin has been missing since February 2024, and her mother, Kelly and her boyfriend are on trial for kidnapping and human trafficking

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 — Joslin Smith's father, Jose Emke, collapsed during the proceedings of his daughter Joslin's disappearance trial. He had to be helped up on several occasions before he was escorted out of the building.

What happened in the courtroom?

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According to News24, Emke was present on 11 March 2025 at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay, where the Western Cape High Court held a sitting. The trial began on 3 March, more than a year after Joslin disappeared in mid-February 2024. Emke was listening to the testimony social worker Siliziwe Mbambo gave about Kelly Smith's history with drug abuse and violence.

Shortly after the court session resumed in the afternoon, Emke, who was sitting with his mother, Lauretta Yon, suddenly fell after losing his balance. Concerned community members rushed to help him. He regained his composure and sat down. However, he fell again a few minutes later, and five police officers escorted him outside to get fresh air.

Who was testifying when Emke collapsed

Mbambo, a social worker for the Department of Social Development, testified as a state witness. She said that Kelly's grandmother contacted the department in 2016 after Kelly threatened to stab her and her child. She also said Kelly's grandmother accused her of neglecting her son while she was pregnant with Joslin. She eventually kicked her out because of her drug abuse.

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Joslin Smith's mother, Kelly, her lover Jacquin Appollis and their friend Stevano van Rhyn pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them. However, if found guilty, they are likely to spend the rest of their lives in prison. Joslin's whereabouts remain unknown.

What you need to know about Joslin Smith

• Joslin Smith's case gained international attention after she went missing in February, and a psychic posted a video on TikTok about the case
• Lourentia Lombaard, Kelly Smith, van Rhyn and Appollis were arrested as the primary suspects involved in Joslin's dispappearance
• A fifth suspect, Phumeza Sigaqa, was also arrested, but the case released her after no evidence was found, while the other suspects abandoned their bail applications
• A couple who wanted to adopt Joslin spoke out after her disappearance and said they were heartbroken
• When the trial began, Kelly was found to have been high on drugs the day her daughter disappeared
• Van Rhyno accused the Patriotic Alliance's president, Gayton McKenzie, of taking him forcefully to the police station

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Joslin Smith: Kelly breaks down in tears as boss says she was a good mother

Kelly Smith collapses in court during witness testimony

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Kelly broke down in court when one of the witnesses testified during the trial's proceedings. Her former employer commented on her views of Kelly's motherhood.

She said that Kelly was a good mother and had a great relationship with her children. She occasionally helped them with food and gave Kelly work as a domestic worker. Upon hearing this, she collapsed.

Source: Briefly News