During the court proceedings, emotions ran high as a video showing Joshlin Smith laughing was played, leaving many in tears.
Warning: This article includes content that may be distressing to some readers.
Shock and outrage filled the courtroom in South Africa as a mother was handed a life sentence for trafficking her six-year-old daughter in exchange for £800.
Joshlin Smith has been missing since early 2024, prompting an ongoing and widely publicized police investigation.
After an eight-week trial that drew national attention, Joshlin’s mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, along with co-accused Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking the child. The verdict was delivered on 29 May.
Here’s a summary of what is known about the case:
When Did Joshlin Disappear?
Joshlin was last seen in February 2024, vanishing from her home in Saldanha Bay, a coastal town located about 75 miles northwest of Cape Town.
Her disappearance quickly became a national story, creating panic in the community. Children were reportedly afraid to attend school, and the case was surrounded by misinformation, including false claims of sightings and body discoveries.
In the days following her disappearance, Gayton McKenzie, leader of the Patriotic Alliance and currently serving as Minister of Sport and Culture, offered a 1 million rand (£42,000) reward for her safe return.
Community leader Carmelite Ross remarked on the collective efforts to find Joshlin, saying: “I’ve never seen this kind of solidarity. People from all walks of life came together in the search—it was incredibly moving.”
The Arrest of Kelly Smith
Interest in the case intensified when Kelly Smith was arrested two weeks after Joshlin went missing. She was taken into custody along with three men.
On 7 March, Smith, Appollis, and van Rhyn were formally charged with child trafficking and abduction at the local magistrate’s court. Outside the courthouse, concerned locals rallied, demanding justice for Joshlin.
Testimonies and Allegations During the Trial
Although prosecutors suggested Joshlin may have been sold into slavery, no conclusive evidence confirmed this theory. Still, more than 30 witnesses offered testimony about the abuse and neglect Joshlin endured while living with her mother, who was known to be addicted to drugs.
One of the most shocking revelations came from Smith’s friend and neighbor, Lourentia Lombaard. She testified that Joshlin had been handed over to a traditional healer—referred to locally as a ‘sangoma.’
Lombaard claimed that the individual who took Joshlin desired her for ritualistic purposes, specifically for her skin and eyes. According to her account, Kelly Smith accepted 20,000 rand—approximately £800—in exchange for her child.
Current Whereabouts of Joshlin
Tragically, Joshlin is still missing. Her mother has shown little sign of remorse and offered no useful information during the trial about her daughter’s current location.
Western Cape Police Commissioner Lieutenant Thembisile Patekile commended the detailed investigative work that led to the convictions.
He stated: “Although no ruling can undo the pain of Joshlin’s disappearance, this verdict provides some sense of closure and reinforces a strong message: those who harm our most vulnerable citizens will face the full force of the law.”
He also confirmed that efforts to locate Joshlin are ongoing and that the investigation could extend beyond South Africa’s borders. “We are relentless in our search and will continue working around the clock until we uncover the truth about what happened to Joshlin,” he added.
