Joshlin Smith Trial | 'My child Joshlin, made me famous'

Bombshells continue to drop in the Joshlin Smith matter in what has been called one of the biggest trials in the Western Cape.

Currently in the witness box, Saldanha SAPS station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Sebola said Kelly's demeanour concerned him.

Sebola explained how the police searched for Joshlin and how he had been leading searches himself.

Sebola told the court members of the local SAPS, members of the Public Order Policing, members of the Seaboard policing (port of entry), law enforcement, six community leaders and approximately 120 members of the community took part.

As days progressed, the City of Cape Town was called in.

A total of 150 detectives across the province were in the area, and a total of 380 police officials were part of the search for Joshlin.

He also mentioned that Kelly was set to meet the then Police Minister, Bheki Cele.

He said he interacted with Kelly two times before she met with Cele.

"When she came into the charge office, she was communicating with a SAPS officer whom she knew. She was acting like it's normal that her child was not there. What concerned me was when she said in her own words: 'My child Joshlin made me famous'. That made me worry. Especially as a parent," Sebola testified. 

He further revealed more information that had Judge Nathan Erasmus raise his eyebrows. Sebola said they got accommodation for Kelly in Vredenburg before she met with Cele.

However, she didn't like the accommodation.

"She didn't like it because her boyfriend could not go with her. We then got her accommodation in Diazville, from a member of the community, where she could stay with her boyfriend.

"We had to have members stationed outside for safety because the community was angry," he said.

When asked about Kelly's other children, Sebola said: "The children were not with her. She never asked for accommodation for her children."

Judge Erasmus sought clarity and asked: 'So, there was no concern or request to give her other two kids (aged 11 and two) with her but her boyfriend?"

Sebola responded: "Correct".

robin.francke@iol.co.za

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