Latest news with #CommercialCrimesUnit
IOL News
24-04-2025
- IOL News
Joshlin Smith accused elect not to take stand, state their case
Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. Image: Robin-Lee Francke/IOL AS the State closed its case in the Joshlin Smith matter on Wednesday, accused Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn both elected to not give evidence or call witnesses. Earlier, the State called Colonel Riaan Morris from the provincial Commercial Crimes Unit, who played six videos for the court. The videos include Kelly Smith being filmed on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at an open prayer service being held for Joshlin. The other videos also show Smith having a meeting at the Spur with now Minister Gayton McKenzie. A few videos of the meeting with McKenzie are shown. He was also provided with two links, which led to two videos of McKenzie, seated in the back of a vehicle, where he questions Van Rhyn about his whereabouts and what happened to Joshlin. As the State closed its case, Judge Nathan Erasmus was told that the defence counsel would bring forth Section 174 applications. A Section 174 application, under South Africa's Criminal Procedure Act, allows an accused person to be discharged if the court believes there is no evidence to support a conviction at the close of the State's case. Fanie Harmse, the legal representative for Appollis, chose not to bring forth an application. Van Rhyn's lawyer, Nobuhle Mkabayi, brought an application. 'The defence will argue accused two has no case to answer. All state witnesses who testified didn't bring any evidence that this court can come to the conclusion that accused two has committed an offence. It will be unfair if the accused is only brought into the dock to supplement the State's case,' she submitted. When Judge Erasmus mentioned that State witness Laurentia Lombaard implicated van Rhyn, Mkabayi shot back, stating she was 'not credible'. 'Your client made a statement which I found admissible, that he admitted to being with when Joshlin was taken away, and he had gone back to find out what his cut was,' Judge Erasmus said. 'I strongly submit there is no evidence,' Mkabayi submitted. Smith's lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, also brought forth an application to have charges discharged against his client, submitting the case had not brought enough prima facie evidence against his client. 'In regards to human trafficking, (there was) only one witness, Laurentia Lombaard, and I submit that her evidence was of such poor quality that it should be rejected in its entirety,' he submitted. Sivnarain cited previous cases where credibility is questioned, arguing for the court to consider credibility. 'I am of the view that there is no evidence because of the inconsistencies and that her evidence should be rejected.'
IOL News
23-04-2025
- IOL News
Judge denies defence's request to drop charges in Joshlin Smith trial
Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. Image: Robin-Lee Francke/IOL As the State closed its case in the Joshlin Smith matter on Wednesday morning, it is now time for the defence to bring forth its case. Earlier, the State called Colonel Riaan Morris from the provincial Commercial Crimes Unit, who played six videos for the court. The videos include Kelly Smith being filmed on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at an open prayer service being held for Joshlin. The other videos also show Kelly having a meeting at the Spur with now Minister Gayton McKenzie. Judge Nathan Erasmus dismissed the applications. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers A few videos of the meeting with McKenzie are shown. He was also provided with two links, which led to two videos of McKenzie, seated in the back of a vehicle, where he questions Steveno van Rhyn about his whereabouts and what happened to Joshlin. As the State closed its case in the matter, Judge Nathan Erasmus was told that the defence counsel would bring forth Section 174 applications. A Section 174 application, under South Africa's Criminal Procedure Act, allows an accused person to be discharged if the court believes there is no evidence to support a conviction at the close of the State's case. Fanie Harmse, the legal representative for Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, chose not to bring forth an application. Van Rhyn's lawyer, Nobuhle Mkabayi, brought forth an application. 'The defence will argue accused two has no case to answer. All state witnesses who testified didn't bring any evidence that this court can come to the conclusion that accused two has committed an offence. It will be unfair if the accused is only brought into the dock to supplement the State's case,' she submitted. When Judge Erasmus mentions that State witness Laurentia Lombaard implicated van Rhyn, Mkabayi shot back, stating she was 'not credible'. 'Your client made a statement which I found admissible, that he admitted to being with when Joshlin was taken away, and he had gone back to find out what he's cut was,' Judge Erasmus said. 'I strongly submit there is no evidence,' Mkabayi submitted. Kelly's lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, also brought forth an application to have charges discharged against his client. 'My submission case has not brought enough prima facie evidence against my client. In regards to human trafficking, only one witness, Laurentia Lombaard, and I submit that her evidence was of such poor quality that it should be rejected in its entirety,' he submitted.
IOL News
23-04-2025
- IOL News
Judge Nathan Erasmus denies defence counsel request to drop charges in Joshlin Smith trial
Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. Image: Robin-Lee Francke/IOL As the State closed its case in the Joshlin Smith matter on Wednesday morning, it is now time for the defence to bring forth its case. Earlier, the State called Colonel Riaan Morris from the provincial Commercial Crimes Unit, who played six videos for the court. The videos include Kelly Smith being filmed on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at an open prayer service being held for Joshlin. The other videos also show Kelly having a meeting at the Spur with now Minister Gayton McKenzie. Judge Nathan Erasmus dismissed the applications. Image: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers A few videos of the meeting with McKenzie are shown. He was also provided with two links, which led to two videos of McKenzie, seated in the back of a vehicle, where he questions Steveno van Rhyn about his whereabouts and what happened to Joshlin. As the State closed its case in the matter, Judge Nathan Erasmus was told that the defence counsel would bring forth Section 174 applications. A Section 174 application, under South Africa's Criminal Procedure Act, allows an accused person to be discharged if the court believes there is no evidence to support a conviction at the close of the State's case. Fanie Harmse, the legal representative for Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, chose not to bring forth an application. Van Rhyn's lawyer, Nobuhle Mkabayi, brought forth an application. 'The defence will argue accused two has no case to answer. All state witnesses who testified didn't bring any evidence that this court can come to the conclusion that accused two has committed an offence. It will be unfair if the accused is only brought into the dock to supplement the State's case,' she submitted. When Judge Erasmus mentions that State witness Laurentia Lombaard implicated van Rhyn, Mkabayi shot back, stating she was 'not credible'. 'Your client made a statement which I found admissible, that he admitted to being with when Joshlin was taken away, and he had gone back to find out what he's cut was,' Judge Erasmus said. 'I strongly submit there is no evidence,' Mkabayi submitted. Kelly's lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, also brought forth an application to have charges discharged against his client. 'My submission case has not brought enough prima facie evidence against my client. In regards to human trafficking, only one witness, Laurentia Lombaard, and I submit that her evidence was of such poor quality that it should be rejected in its entirety,' he submitted.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
Tigard police arrest 10 during single-day theft mission at Target store last month
PORTLAND, Ore. () — Police arrested 10 people during a single-day retail theft mission at a Tigard Target store last month, authorities said. The retail theft mission was conducted on March 28 by the Tigard Police Department's Commercial Crimes Unit. The mission was focused on the Target store on Southwest Hall Boulevard. Verselandia! annual poetry competition returns The 10 arrests included 37 stolen items recovered worth more than $600, officials said. The people who were arrested were accused of everything from theft to trespassing. One person was charged with failure to return a driver's license. Some of the people were issued citations while others were lodged. Among those arrested, three were juveniles, police said. Tigard police said the CCU conducted the mission with the support of both patrol officers and the store's loss prevention employees. Similar retail theft missions are conducted throughout the year. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
