The ongoing trial surrounding the mysterious disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith has uncovered disturbing allegations against her mother, Kelly Smith, including connections to a traditional healer's desire for the child's physical features.
Allegations Unfold in Disappearance of Missing South African Girl
Allegations Unfold in Disappearance of Missing South African Girl
The trial of Joshlin Smith's mother reveals shocking claims involving traditional healing practices and human trafficking.
In a haunting case that has gripped South Africa, six-year-old Joshlin Smith, missing since February 2024, was allegedly targeted for her striking features by a traditional healer. During the trial of her mother, Kelly Smith, and two accomplices, disturbing evidence has come to light, suggesting the young girl's disappearance may be linked to human trafficking.
The courtroom has been filled with gripping testimonies, revealing that Joshlin vanished from outside her Saldanha Bay home, leading to a widespread search and national outcry. Prosecutors argue that Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and friend Steveno van Rhyn, neglected the urgency of the situation; notably, Smith informed authorities over six hours after noticing her daughter was missing.
Further testimony has emerged suggesting Smith's potential intent to sell her child. A local pastor testified that in 2023, Smith discussed selling her children, while Joshlin's teacher recounted chilling claims from Smith, who suggested that Joshlin was already being shipped to West Africa. Key witness, Lourentia Lombaard, revealed Smith's confession of selling her daughter to a sangoma in exchange for money, which was allegedly motivated by financial desperation.
Lombaard recounted a moment when she witnessed Smith packing Joshlin's clothes into a bag and leaving with a woman she believed to be the traditional healer. During her testimony, she disclosed that the alleged taker desired Joshlin for her "eyes and skin," leaving many questions unanswered regarding the healer's motives.
Despite the legal acknowledgment of sangomas under South African law, cases of exploitation are prevalent, with some individuals abusing cultural practices for nefarious purposes. The judicial proceedings are set to continue until the end of March as the community holds its breath for news on Joshlin's fate.
