Police disperse crowd at Vredenburg Court amid Joslin Smith case

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Police have used stun grenades and tear gas to disperse a large crowd that has gathered outside the Vredenburg Magistrates Court, where four people are expected to appear, in connection with the disappearance of 6-year-old Joslin Smith.

The girl’s mother, Kelly Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis are among the four accused. They are facing charges of trafficking in persons with the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping.

The little girl who went missing three weeks ago has not yet been found.

SABC News Vanessa Poonah reports:

There’s a large police contingent outside the court. The start of court proceedings has been delayed, due to the accused still being en route to court.

Tensions

A tense standoff is playing out outside the court, between community members from Saldanha and the police.

A large contingent of police have been stationed outside the court. Police have fired stun grenades and teargas to disperse the crowd. They have also cordoned off the area with barbed wire.

Police fire teargas as protesters push their way into court

Protests and commotion outside court: