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Jocelyn Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, and two others face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping
The mother of a missing six-year-old girl accused of trafficking and kidnapping in South Africa has abandoned her bail application.
Kelly Smith, his friend Jacquen Appollis and another suspect have withdrawn their attempts to be released on bail.
Angry crowds gathered outside the courthouse, threatening the three with violence if they were released.
The case has gripped South Africa since Joslin disappeared from her home in Saldanha Bay near Cape Town last month.
During a court appearance on Wednesday, Phumza Sigaqa, one of four initially charged with involvement in Joslin’s disappearance, had her charges dropped due to a lack of evidence.
Local media refer to Ms Sigaga as a traditional healer or “sagoma”.
In a widely condemned practice, some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, claiming they can cure people of illnesses or improve their fortunes.
Before her charges were dropped, prosecutors alleged Ms Smith instructed Apolis and another of the accused, Stefano van Rien, to sell Jocelyn to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000, £835). according to the privately owned Politis newspaper.
However, prosecutors say there is no evidence at this stage that he is involved in the child’s disappearance.
Many protesters outside the courtroom hailed this as they felt he had been used as a scapegoat, reports AFP news agency. Some chanted “Free Fumza!” and held placards with a similar sentiment.
The atmosphere outside the court was tense as heavily armed police had to prevent the crowd from entering the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court with cables and tear gas, AFP reports.
Residents attempted to throw stones at the police, according to the News24 website.
Jocelyn’s disappearance has left people hungry for justice and answers.
The young woman, who went missing on February 19, has yet to be found despite a search involving drones, the navy and sniffer dogs.
Bloody clothes were recently found in an open field and the police took them for DNA testing.
Mrs Smith previously told local publication The Daily Voice that she had not given up hope of finding her daughter.
“My motherly instincts tell me my daughter is still alive in this area too. We will find her, I will walk to find her. I will search every little shack, I will do it myself if I have to.”
Joslin was left in the care of Ms Smith’s boyfriend before she disappeared. He has denied any involvement.
A child goes missing every five hours in South Africa, but most are found.