In a case that has gripped South Africa and highlighted the vulnerabilities of children in impoverished communities, Kelly Smith, the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, has been convicted of kidnapping and trafficking her own daughter.
In February 2023, Joshlin Smith vanished from outside her home in Saldanha Bay, a coastal community approximately 140 kilometres north of Cape Town. The child’s disappearance triggered a nationwide search effort that captivated public attention across South Africa, with authorities and community members mobilising to find the young girl.
Despite extensive search operations and a highly publicised campaign, Joshlin remains missing to this day, more than a year after her disappearance.
On Friday, the Western Cape High Court found Kelly Smith guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her daughter. Her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and their associate Steveno van Rhyn received identical convictions. All three defendants had maintained their innocence throughout the proceedings.
The trial, which began in March 2024, was deliberately held in Saldanha’s Multipurpose Centre to ensure community access to the proceedings. Judge Nathan Erasmus presided over the case, which attracted such significant public interest that police secured the area and closed nearby roads ahead of the verdict announcement.
When the guilty verdict was read, Smith was observed wiping tears from her eyes, while van Rhyn displayed an unsettling smile. The packed courtroom responded with applause, with some spectators overcome by emotion.
Disturbing Allegations
The trial revealed a series of shocking allegations about the circumstances surrounding Joshlin’s disappearance:
Lourentia Lombaard, a neighbour who became a key state witness, testified that Smith had confessed to selling Joshlin to a traditional healer (sangoma) who allegedly wanted the child “for her eyes and skin”—a disturbing claim suggesting potential ritual use.
A local pastor testified that in 2023, Smith had discussed selling her children for 20,000 rand (approximately $1,100 or £850) each, though she indicated willingness to accept as little as $275.
Joshlin’s teacher alleged that Smith had admitted during the search that her daughter was “on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa,” suggesting international trafficking.
The defence attempted to discredit these testimonies, particularly highlighting inconsistencies in Lombaard’s statements and characterising her as an “opportunist.” Notably, none of the defendants testified in their own defence or called witnesses to support their case.
Broader Context and Social Implications
The case has sparked important conversations about child safety in South Africa, particularly in economically disadvantaged areas like Middelpos, where Joshlin lived. Parents in the community have expressed ongoing concerns about their children’s safety more than a year after the disappearance.
South Africa legally recognises traditional healers (sangomas) under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007. While most practice legitimate traditional medicine, some unscrupulous individuals have been implicated in crimes involving human body parts for purported ritual purposes.
The allegations involving Smith’s substance abuse issues and willingness to sell her child have highlighted systemic failures in child protection and the particular vulnerabilities faced by children in impoverished communities throughout South Africa.
As the justice system processes this verdict, the most pressing question remains unanswered: What happened to Joshlin Smith, and will she ever be found?
