Saldanha Bay residents are growing more angry at the inability of authorities to find little Joshlin Smith.
On Wednesday, the child’s mother and three others made a second appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court, more than 3 weeks after the Grade 1 pupil’s disappearance.
Charges of kidnapping and human trafficking against accused number 4, Phumza Sigaqa – have been dropped.
There were chaotic scenes outside the courtyard after the Patriotic Alliance’s Ashley Sauls was not allowed inside the court – ahead of proceedings.
A group of angry residents clashed with the police, pelting officers with stones.
The SAPS used teargas to disperse the crowd.
A police constable was injured and she was taken to a nearby medical facility for treatment.
When court proceedings did get underway, the State informed the court that charges against the 4th accused were going to be withdrawn.
Little Joshlin Smith’s mother, Racquel Smith and two others are still being tried though.
They’ve also decided to abandon bail.
The case has been remanded until the 13th of May for further investigation.
Also, residents are not happy that the police have not shared details about why the charges have been dropped against accused number 4.
They’re also dissatisfied that the police have not been able to locate the little girl
Meanwhile, the police are keeping mum on the results of the analysis of bloodstained clothes, which were found near Joshlin’s home in the Middelpos informal settlement.
Western Cape Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, said the outcome was expected this past Tuesday.
But has now refused to reveal whether or not they’ve received feedback.
Those clothes were sent to the police forensic lab for examination last week.
When journalists asked him on the matter outside the Vredenberg Magistrates Court,
Patekile said he can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.
“ The prosecutor said quite nicely in court that all investigation loose ends are being followed until then we not going to comment, that’s under investigation. It’s the investigation we don’t want to tamper with and we also don’t comment on it at this stage”.
