South African court convicts mother of trafficking her 6-year-old daughter

A South African court found a mother and two accomplices guilty on Friday of kidnapping and trafficking her 6-year-old daughter, in a case that gained nationwide attention since the child went missing last year.

Joshlin Smith, then 6, disappeared from her home in the small town of Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, in Western Cape province on February 19, 2024 and a nationwide search began. She has not been found.

Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Apollis and their friend Steveno Van Rhyn were accused of selling the child for a fee. A judge at the Western Cape High Court found all three guilty of kidnapping and trafficking on Friday.

After nearly three months of court proceedings, Erasmus handed down his judgment in the Western Cape High Court, sitting at the White City Multi-purpose Centre in Saldanha.

Six-year-old Joshlin (Pictured), went missing from her home in Saldanha Bay on 19 February, 2024, sparking a widespread search and major investigation.

Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn were charged with kidnapping and human trafficking, but all pleaded not guilty.

The trial began on 3 March, 2025 with closing arguments concluded on Wednesday, 30 April, 2025.

The case drew significant public attention, with many planning to attend the judgment, including those who participated in early search efforts.

“The conduct of … Ms Smith is not that of a concerned parent. And why not? In my mind the only inference is that you knew (what happened),” said Judge Nathan Erasmus on Friday, addressing Smith, who sat in the courtroom but did not speak.

In a case that shocked South Africa, one of the witnesses had said in court that Smith told her she had sold her daughter to a sangoma, or traditional healer, for 20,000 rand ($1,100) and that the girl was desired for her “eyes and skin”.

The judge did not say in his ruling who the girl was sold to or why.
The three convicted will be remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.