Three of the accused in the case of missing Joshlin Smith, which includes her mother, have abandoned bail.

Kelly Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, as well as Steveno Van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa made their second appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

READ MORE: Joslin Smith’s mother appears in court with 3 others

They are charged with human trafficking and kidnapping, linked to Joshlin’s disappearance.

However, Sigaqa, will no longer be facing these charges. will no longer facing these charges. This, as the court withdrew these charges against her. Western Cape Community Safety and Police Oversight MEC, Reagan Allen, says there’s currently no evidence to prove Sigaqa’s link to the case.

“I have been informed that there is no evidence linking that particular suspect to this particular matter, but that could change should new information come to light.”

The matter has been postponed for further investigation, and Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn return to court on 13 May.

Scenes outside court

Saldanha Bay residents returned to protest outside the court, on the second day of the accused’s appearance on Wednesday. The crowds had become so rowdy that police fired stun grenades to disperse them.

Included in the protestors demands is that community representatives be allowed into court to follow court proceedings.

Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Thembisile Patekile, says at the first court appearance the crowds became uncontrollable as well.

“By nature, people don’t want to be restricted, but by law, [police] have a duty to prevent any crime that can be committed.”

The search for six-year-old Joshlin continues. She’s now been missing for more than three weeks.