Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane
As the State's first witness spends the second day in the dock, it was a long and tedious cross-examination from Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis' lawyer.
The much-anticipated trial over the disappearance of Joshlin Smith started on Monday. The matter is being heard at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha.
The judiciary found it relevant for the matter to sit in the area to afford residents the opportunity to attend proceedings.
Legal counsel for Appollis, Fanie Harmse, went over every aspect of the evidence of Constable Yanga Gongotha.
He remained adamant about wanting to know the response times, and why it was the way it was. The long-winded examination saw Judge Nathan Erasmus interject and ask what the relevance was.
During questioning, Harmse also seemed to have jotted down the police constable's evidence in chief incorrectly as he was once again corrected by Judge Erasmus.
"No, Mr Harmse. The witness evidence was that when they responded to the complaint of a missing child, there were two women. One further back and the other speaking to them.
"So, it is incorrect to say accused three (Kelly Smith) was alone," Judge Erasmus said.
Harmse further stated that the testimony given by his client (Appollis) about last seeing Joshlin at 2pm when she left to go play, as he and his friends were smoking, was not true.
He also said his client rubbished the testimony of the police officer that a lift was given to him or that he ever spoke to Kelly.
On Monday, Kelly, her boyfriend Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn all pleaded not guilty to the human trafficking and kidnapping charges against them.
The court is expected to receive their plea explanations today.
robin.francke@iol.co.za
IOL
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