'There were so many inconsistencies' in Joshlin Smith case, Court hears

An investigator in the Joshlin Smith case has told the court that key suspects gave inconsistent statements during questioning, raising further suspicion in the ongoing trial.

Sergeant Meyer Milstein, the initial investigating officer, remained on the witness stand on Friday morning as he completed his evidence in chief.

Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith are on trial in Saldanha on charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.

The trio has since pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

During his testimony, Milstein explained how all searches and leads were followed up on any information about Joshlin.

Interviews were also conducted with Kelly, Boeta, Steveno, as well as former accused Laurentia Lombaard. All charges against Lombaard were previously dropped.

According to Milstein, something was off during the interviews. "I took in Smith, Appollis and Lombaard for questioning.

At this stage, it was clear that none of them were being honest.

There were so many inconsistencies.

I was struggling to get basic information as it kept changing.

But, in the end I did not have enough evidence to detain them and I had to excuse them from the interview," Milstein told the court.

When asked about Kelly's participation throughout the searches, which included an array of enforcement agencies, community leaders, community members, organisations, and residents from across the Western Cape.

Milstein said: "Ms Smith did not partake in any active searches. Neither did Mr Appollis. Van Rhyn also did not, Milstein testified. The legal counsel of the accused will now cross-examine Sergeant Milstein.

Cape Argus