Phumza Sigaqa, the woman who has been alleged to have been involved in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, has finally broken her silence since her release from custody.
Sigaqa, along with Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appolis, and Stevano van Rhyn, was among those arrested and charged in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court with trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping.
– Advertisement –
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Kelly, Mother Of Missing Joshlin Smith, Pregnant In Pollsmoor Prison
Charges Withdrawn Against Sigaqa
On March 13, the state withdrew all charges against Sigaqa, leading to her release from custody. However, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appolis, and Stevano van Rhyn remain remanded in custody after abandoning their bid for bail.
Sigaqa’s Perspective
In an interview with a broadcaster, Sigaqa shared her perspective on the events surrounding Joshlin’s disappearance. She mentioned that she observed Kelly Smith and Joshlin carrying a gas cylinder towards a nearby area known as Marikana on the day of the disappearance. Sigaqa never saw Joshlin again.
Sigaqa also revealed that during their first court appearance, Kelly Smith admitted in the dock that she was pregnant. This information adds another layer of complexity to the case.
Coerced Confession
Sigaqa claimed that she was coerced into confessing after hours of torture at the hands of the police. She alleged that she was beaten, suffocated with a plastic, and subjected to various forms of physical abuse. Sigaqa stated that she was repeatedly asked to tell the truth and eventually admitted to having Joshlin in her care.
She expressed her willingness to “die for her truth” and emphasized the need for people close to her to speak up about Joshlin’s whereabouts. Sigaqa called for support from the community, stating that she is confident she is not capable of committing the alleged actions.
– Advertisement –
Life After the Allegations
Sigaqa acknowledged that her life will never be the same again. She mentioned that she will always be known as the sangoma and the woman who allegedly stole a child. Despite her innocence, the weight of the accusations has deeply impacted her reputation and daily life.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: The Mystery Of Joshlin Smith’s Disappearance And Mistaken Identity
She expressed her desire for counselling for herself and her children, recognizing the emotional toll this ordeal has taken on them. Sigaqa also shared her hope that Joshlin can be found so that she can be absolved, even though she maintains her innocence and denies any involvement in the child’s disappearance.
The Search Continues
While Sigaqa does not have much familiarity with the latest accused in the case, Lourentia Lombaard, she was aware that Lombaard had been with Kelly Smith and Boeta. Lombaard has also abandoned her bid for bail.
The police continue their search for Joshlin, and the group will appear in court again on May 13.
– Advertisement –