A South African mother and two accomplices have been handed life sentences for the kidnapping and human trafficking of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. The sentencing concludes a high-profile trial that gripped the nation, yet leaves unanswered the tragic question of Joshlin’s whereabouts, as she remains missing more than a year after her disappearance.
Racquel “Kelly” Smith, 35, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn received the life terms in court proceedings held in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, where Joshlin vanished from her home in February 2024. In addition to the life sentence for human trafficking, they were also given concurrent 10-year sentences for kidnapping. Judge Nathan Erasmus further ordered their names to be entered into the child protection register.
Harsh Sentence Reflects Severity of Crime
Judge Erasmus, presiding over the eight-week trial, stated he found nothing in the case to justify a lesser punishment than the “harshest” possible. He drew no distinction between the three convicted individuals in their culpability, specifically noting the lack of remorse shown by Smith and Van Rhyn. The judge also dismissed arguments that their drug use could serve as an excuse for their heinous actions. The sentencing was met with applause in the courtroom, filled with community members deeply affected by the case.
Still No Sign of Joshlin
Despite extensive search efforts following her disappearance, including a significant reward being offered, six-year-old Joshlin Smith has still not been found. Police have vowed to continue the search relentlessly, even extending efforts beyond South Africa’s borders. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the sentence, stating their team successfully proved that Joshlin was “sold [and] delivered to the intended buyer” for “exploitation, namely slavery or practices similar to slavery.”
Disturbing Trial Allegations
The trial featured emotional testimonies from more than 30 witnesses, painting a disturbing picture of Joshlin’s life and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Key evidence included explosive testimony from Lourentia Lombaard, a friend and neighbour who became a state witness. Lombaard alleged that Kelly Smith confessed to selling Joshlin to a traditional healer, or “sangoma,” who reportedly desired the child for her “eyes and skin” – a claim suggesting a potential ritualistic motive, although the identity of the buyer and this specific motive were not definitively proven by the judge.
Further testimony came from a local pastor who claimed he overheard Smith in 2023 discussing plans to sell her children for sums ranging from R5,000 to R20,000 (approximately $275 to $1,100). Joshlin’s teacher also testified that during the initial search, Smith had told her that her daughter was “on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa.” These testimonies were considered crucial in securing the convictions.
Mother Described as Manipulative ‘Mastermind’
During the trial and sentencing, Racquel Smith was consistently described as manipulative and prone to telling “bald-faced lies.” A social worker’s report prepared for sentencing suggested it was plausible to conclude that Smith was the “mastermind behind the trafficking of her own daughter.” Smith and her co-accused chose not to testify or call witnesses in their defence during the trial.
Background presented during the trial detailed a troubled history for Smith, including struggles with substance abuse since her teens and allegations of neglect towards her children. A family friend, Natasha Andrews, had previously attempted to adopt Joshlin, highlighting concerns about the child’s welfare prior to her disappearance.
Heartbreak for Family and Community
The case has had a devastating impact on Joshlin’s family and the community of Middelpos. Joshlin’s grandmother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, was a constant presence in court, wearing a shirt with her missing granddaughter’s picture. She delivered emotional victim impact statements, questioning how her daughter could live with herself and stating the disappearance had “broken” the family and felt like her “heart has been ripped from my body.” She continues to care for Smith’s two other children, living in fear that they might also go missing.
Emotional moments unfolded in court, including the playing of a video clip of Joshlin laughing, which caused many to sob uncontrollably. The judge noted the crime had left the residents of the community “fractured.”
Wider Context of Rising Kidnappings
The Joshlin Smith case has drawn significant national and international attention, likened by some criminologists to high-profile global missing child cases. It also serves as a grim reminder of the increasing issue of kidnappings in South Africa. Police statistics show over 17,000 kidnappings were recorded in the 12 months leading up to March 2024, a significant rise compared to previous years.
As the search for Joshlin continues, her fate remains unknown, leaving her family and community in agonizing limbo despite the conviction and harsh sentencing of those found responsible for her trafficking.
References
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj93yvr3n1xo
- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/south-african-sold-6-year-old-daughter-joshlin-smith-life-sentence/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdxk480g75qo
- https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/29/south-african-woman-kelly-smith-given-life-sentence-for-trafficking-six-year-old-daughter-joshlin-smith
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj93yvr3n1xo
