In a heartbreaking case in South Africa, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, along with her accomplices, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and trafficking of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, who has been missing since February 2024. Despite a thorough investigation and public outcry, the little girl remains unfound.
Mother Sentenced to Life for Trafficking Daughter in South Africa
Mother Sentenced to Life for Trafficking Daughter in South Africa
Racquel "Kelly" Smith and her accomplices receive life sentences as the search for missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith continues to grip the nation.
A South African woman, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, has been sentenced to life in prison for the heinous crime of kidnapping and trafficking her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. Smith was sentenced alongside her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, in a courtroom filled with emotional community members who voiced their outrage at the actions of the trio.
The disturbing case began when Joshlin disappeared outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, in February 2024. Despite extensive search efforts that captured national attention, the young girl has yet to be located. Judge Nathan Erasmus handed down the sentences after a six-week trial overflowing with shocking allegations regarding the circumstances surrounding Joshlin's disappearance.
During the sentencing, Judge Erasmus expressed disdain for Smith and her accomplices, emphasizing their lack of remorse and noting that their actions had left the local community in a state of fear and heartbreak. He sentenced them to life in prison on the human trafficking charge and ten years for kidnapping, a decision that drew applause from the gathered crowd.
The court heard testimony from over 30 witnesses, including a neighbor who claimed Smith admitted to selling Joshlin to a traditional healer, referred to as a "sangoma," who wanted the girl for her eyes and skin. This revelation, along with statements from a pastor about Smith’s discussions of selling her children, was pivotal in securing the convictions.
In the wake of the sentencing, community members voiced their anger, insisting that the trio deserved the harshest penalties. Joshlin's grandmother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, pleaded for her daughter's cooperation in finding her missing granddaughter and lamented the devastating impact of Joshlin’s disappearance on their family.
Western Cape police officials confirmed that the search for Joshlin remains active, emphasizing their commitment to uncovering the truth behind her disappearance, despite the anguish expressed by her family and community.
