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“He Was Tortured”: Shocking Claims in Joshlin Smith Confession Battle
The trial over the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith continues in the Western Cape High Court, with a focus now turning to the legitimacy of a key confession made by one of the accused. Defence lawyers for Steveno van Rhyn are questioning whether police obtained his statement through coercion or force during interrogations in early March.
Captain Philip Seekoei, who recorded van Rhyn’s confession, returned to the witness stand on Thursday for further cross-examination. Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi argued that van Rhyn was visibly unwell during questioning—appearing sleep-deprived, limping, and in emotional distress—yet the interview proceeded without interruption.
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Joshlin disappeared on 19 February 2024 from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay. Her mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, said she had left the child with her boyfriend, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis. He later claimed Joshlin left the house upset around 2 pm, after which he, van Rhyn, and then co-accused Lourentia “Renz” Lombaard smoked tik together.
Four people were initially arrested: Smith, Appollis, van Rhyn, and Maka Lima. Charges against Lombaard were eventually dropped. On 4 March, police interviewed the remaining suspects and detained them by the early hours of 5 March. Appollis and van Rhyn later implicated Lima, but both now allege their confessions were forced.
Trial-Within-a-Trial: Voluntary or Coerced?
The court is currently holding a trial-within-a-trial to determine whether the confessions were freely given or unlawfully obtained. On Wednesday, Advocate Mkabayi pressed Seekoei on why he did not halt the interview with van Rhyn, despite the accused yawning frequently, looking fatigued, and struggling to sit. Seekoei confirmed he had not asked van Rhyn about his limp or checked for signs of injury.
Mkabayi described her client as “traumatised, stressed, and exhausted” and asked why the officer didn’t stop the proceedings.
“I didn’t deem it necessary,” Seekoei replied.
Judge Questions Police Judgment
Video evidence shown in court depicted van Rhyn walking without shoes and visibly uncomfortable—something Mkabayi said was a result of swelling from alleged abuse. Judge Nathan Erasmus asked whether Seekoei had assessed the accused’s physical and mental condition before taking the confession, especially given earlier testimony that van Rhyn had fallen asleep during a prior interview.
Seekoei admitted that had he known van Rhyn was assaulted, hungry, or sleep-deprived, he would not have continued. The trial resumes as the court determines whether the confession will be admissible in the main proceedings.
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Sourced:IOL
Picture: Gallo Images / Die Burger / Theo Jeptha
