Joslin’s dad faints in court amid drugs, abuse claims

Joslin Smith’s biological father, Jose Emke, fainted in court twice during the trial of his missing daughter. His collapse came amid a testimony from a social worker, who alleged the little girl’s mother, Kelly Smith, was abusing drugs and was physically abusive to her family.

Now in its second week, Kelly and two others, boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” and friend Steveno Van Rhyn, are facing child kidnapping and trafficking charges in the trial taking place at the Saldana Bay multipurpose centre.

Joslin disappeared on 19 February 2024 at her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Diazville.

JOSLIN’S FATHER FAINTS IN COURT

On Tuesday, 11 March, Joslin Smith’s father, Jose Emke, collapsed during a testimony heard in a court session. The epileptic man fell off his chair twice and was helped back up by police and members of the community.

He was then escorted out of the court.

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At the time, witness social worker Siliziwe Mbambo was detailing Kelly Smith’s history with the Western Cape Department of Social Development. 

The High Court – sitting at the Saldanha Bay multipurpose centre – heard how Kelly had threatened to “stab” her eldest child, a son, during a drug-induced spell. The mother of three – who miscarried her fourth child in police custody last year – also allegedly assaulted her grandmother, who later was granted a protection order against her.

Last year, Jose’s mother, Loretta Yon, told Cape Argus how her son’s health had deteriorated since Joslin went missing.

She said: “My son said his epilepsy has worsened. I am trying to be strong”.

The grandmother added that their family had hope that Joslin was still alive.

She added: “We have hope that Joslin will be found. I believe she is still alive, especially because a body has not been found. I would have been happy, even if we found her body, for closure”.

“We want Kelly and others to tell the truth and tell us where the child is.”

‘FOSTER MOM’ SPEAKS

Meanwhile, Joslin Smith’s “foster mom,” Natasha Andrews, also testified in court. Natasha is a longtime family friend to Kelly and often took in the little girl during school holidays.

In 2018, the woman pled with Kelly and Jose to adopt baby Joslin but was rejected. However, she continued to provide shelter, clothing, and food to the child and her family.

She said in her testimony: “Sometimes Joslin would come for a weekend, sometimes she stayed longer.

“During the December 2023/January 2024 school holidays, Joslin stayed with me. Kelly did not visit, nor did I take her home, only before school started”.

Natasha also recounted how she had cared for Joslin when Kelly went to rehab or a shelter for abused women, allegedly as a result of her volatile relationship with Jose.

In a TikTok video posted last year, an emotional Natasha said: “I loved Joslin like my own child. People are saying there was no one there for Joslin….people must know that she was loved, and she loved us.

“We were there for her, and we did everything we could for her. She was like another child in our home.”

DO YOU THINK THAT JOSLIN SMITH’S MOTHER IS BEHIND HER DISAPPEARANCE?

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