Bulelwa Hoala

Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking Joshlin Smith by the Western Cape High Court on Friday, 2 May 2025.
The judgment was handed down by presiding Judge Nathan Erasmus sitting at the White City Multi-purpose Centre in Saldanha.
“On the main count I have already found that the evidence before me Johslin was exchanged,” Erasmus said. “The fact is that her freedom of movement and liberty and that in itself are the main elements we have in the kidnapping,” he added.
This concluded the trial after three months of court proceedings, during which shocking details emerged, namely that a sangoma wanted Joshlin for her eyes and skin.
On 19 February 2024, Joshlin Smith disappeared outside her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape.
She was six years old at the time.
Authorities are still clueless about her whereabouts.
Meanwhile, The Cape Argus reports that Western Cape Police Commissioner, General Thembisile Patekile says the police will continue searching for Joshlin.
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