Van Rhyn alleges Gayton McKenzie transported him to police station in connection with missing 6-year-old case.

Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, one of the accused in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial, has claimed Patriotic Alliance (PA) president Gayton McKenzie was involved in bringing him to police custody. The allegation emerged during proceedings at the Western Cape High Court.

Van Rhyn’s lawyer, advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, told the court her client was approached outside his home on February 29 by an unidentified man in a grey car who instructed him to come along.

“At that time, he was not aware whether he was a private detective,” Mkabayi said of the man who transported van Rhyn to the police station.

According to Mkabayi, van Rhyn recognized McKenzie at the police station. She questioned the political leader’s role in the case, asking, “Is McKenzie working with the police? My client was transported by McKenzie to the police station.”

Detective Constable Refilwe Sekhobe, who took initial statements, testified she had no knowledge of McKenzie’s involvement in bringing van Rhyn to authorities.

The trial revolves around six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who disappeared on February 19, 2024. Her mother Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, the mother’s boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and van Rhyn face charges in connection with the kidnapping.

Charges against a fourth suspect, Laurentia Lombaard, were subsequently dropped.

The defense has raised concerns about the credibility of the police investigation as the trial continues.