Charges withdrawn against accused No 4 in the Joshlin Smith case 

Lerato Mbhiza

Charges against one of the accused, Phumza Sigaqa, who was alleged to be a sangoma, have been withdrawn after all four accused in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, made their second appearance at the Vredenburg Magistrates Court.

On Wednesday, Joshlin’s mother Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, Steveno Dumaizio van Rhyn and Sigaqa appeared in court and the State dropped charges Sigaqa and requested the matter to be postponed until 13 May for further investigations. 

Smith faces charges of kidnapping and human trafficking related to her daughter’s disappearance. She, Appollis and van Rhyn have abandoned their bail application and will remain in custody until the matter reconvenes in court.

As investigations into the case are still in its early stages, the State is still awaiting cellphone data analysis, the court heard. 

Information as to where Joshlin may be, is still being followed up on and she still has