A South African woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of kidnapping and trafficking her six-year-old daughter. The court handed down life sentences to the mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn, in connection with the disappearance of the young girl more than a year ago.
The child, Joshlin Smith, vanished mysteriously outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, in February 2024. Despite an intense and widely publicized search, she has not yet been found. The sentencing came after a six-week trial that gripped the nation, revealing a series of disturbing details and testimonies.
The presiding judge made it clear that he did not differentiate between the three defendants when delivering the verdict. Each was sentenced to life imprisonment for human trafficking and to an additional ten years for kidnapping. The courtroom erupted in applause at the sentencing.
Judge Nathan Erasmus took over an hour to explain his decision. He recounted the case’s key elements, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes and the defendants’ complete lack of remorse. He particularly criticized the mother and one of her accomplices for their attitude, describing it as unrepentant and callous.
“There is nothing redeeming or deserving of a lesser sentence in this case,” the judge stated firmly. He also highlighted the profound impact the crime had on the local community of Middelpos, where Joshlin had lived. The ordeal had left residents feeling fractured and deeply unsettled.
During the sentencing hearing held at a community center in Saldanha to enable local attendance, the defendants remained emotionless as the verdict was read. Law enforcement officials confirmed that the search for Joshlin would persist indefinitely, including efforts beyond the country’s borders.
The Western Cape police commissioner pledged relentless dedication to uncovering the girl’s whereabouts, stressing that the investigation would continue day and night. Community members gathered in the courtroom had strong feelings about the case, with many demanding severe punishment for those involved.
Joshlin’s grandmother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, made a heartfelt plea to her daughter before sentencing. She urged Kelly Smith to return her grandchild or at least disclose what had happened to her. “No sentence can bring my grandchild back,” the grandmother said, describing the family as broken by the loss.
She also called on her daughter to stop blaming others, pointing out that Kelly was responsible for the tragedy. The grandmother’s statement underscored the emotional devastation the family had endured.
The trial heard testimony from over thirty witnesses who shed light on the young girl’s troubled life and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Notably, Kelly Smith and her co-accused refused to testify or present any witnesses in their defense.
One of the most explosive revelations came from a neighbor and friend of Smith, who turned state witness. This witness testified that Smith had admitted to “doing something silly” and selling her daughter to a traditional healer, known locally as a sangoma.
According to this testimony, the individual who took Joshlin wanted her specifically for her eyes and skin. Additionally, a local pastor testified that in 2023, Smith had spoken about selling her children for amounts ranging from 20,000 rand (approximately $1,100) to as low as $275.
Joshlin’s teacher also provided chilling testimony, recounting a conversation in which Smith claimed that her daughter was already on a ship, hidden inside a container, en route to West Africa.
These testimonies played a crucial role in securing the convictions. The court heard descriptions of Smith as manipulative and deceitful. A social worker who prepared reports on the defendants suggested that it would not be an exaggeration to consider Smith the mastermind behind the trafficking scheme involving her own child.
Powerful statements from those who knew Joshlin highlighted the profound and lasting trauma caused by her disappearance, not only for her family but for the entire community. The case served as a grim reminder of the dangers of human trafficking and the devastating impact it has on victims and their loved ones.
