José Emke, Joshlin Smith’s father, had to leave the court on Tuesday due to illness.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane/ Independent Newspapers
THE father of missing Joshlin Smith had to leave the trial into her disappearance on Tuesday, due to an illness.
José Emke was observing the proceedings in the Western Cape High Court in White City Multipurpose Centre, in Saldanha Bay on Tuesday afternoon, when he collapsed.
This is the seventh day of the trial where Joshlin’s mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeata; Appollis and friend Steveno van Rhyn face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.
The Middelpos child went missing from her home on 19 February 2024.
She had been in the care of Appollis as Kelly claimed she was at work at the time of the disappearance.
Just before 2pm, Emke, who wore a thick navy jacket, appeared to lose his balance.
He was sitting near his mother Louretta Yon.
A few minutes later Emke fell to his side and a community member in the public gallery rushed to catch him.
Court orderlies helped him up and took him outside the court for further assistance.
State prosecutor Advocate Zelda Swanepoel said a similar incident happened last week and asked the media not to take pictures of the scene.
Emke's incident took place as social worker Siliziwe Mbambo gave testimony about how Kelly refused to stay at a shelter, citing she wanted to help look for her child.
“On the first time we offered (her a place at) the shelter, she said she was on her way to destress in Cape Town - a political party had arranged that for Kelly and her children.
“We informed Ms Smith the shelter was available for her and her children and that when she returns she should contact me and the law enforcement.”
The testimony continues.