One of the accused in Joshlin Smith’s kidnapping and human trafficking trial said he was taken to the police station by Patriotic Alliance president Gayton McKenzie.

This was heard as advocate Nobahle Mkabayi poked holes in the testimony of a detective constable Refilwe Sekhobe, who took down the initial statements.

The officer testified on Monday morning at the Western Cape High Court sitting in the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay.

The girl who was six years old at the time of her disappearance, was last seen on 19 February, 2024.

Her mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn were arrested.

The State dropped the charges against Laurentia Lombaard who was also taken into custody.

Van Rhyn’s counsel Mkabayi told the court that her client was taken to the police station by the politician.

“He was not at the police station of his own will and that he was not brought in by the police.

“On 29 February 2024, while seated at home, he heard a commotion...many people speaking outside, he went outside to see what was happening and when he got there he saw a man, he was driving a small grey car.

“And this man said, we are here to take you, come with us. At that time he was not aware whether he was a private detective.”

Sekhobe said she was not aware of this.

Mkabayi continued: “This car drove with him until Vraagom Street, when they got there, the man told him to go outside the car. He could see a convoy of many cars, he was taken to an orange double cab bakkie, he could see Gayton Mckenzie. He knew the driver, but there was a third passenger.

“Is McKenzie working with the police? My client was transported by McKenzie to the police station.”

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za