Today, in the Western Cape High Court, the pre-sentencing proceedings will take place for the three people found guilty of the kidnapping and human trafficking of six-year-old Joshlin Smith including her own mother. The Court has continued the sentencing hearings until the 27th May, 2025 at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, in close proximity to Joshlin’s homeTown .
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Who Is Joshlin Smith?
Joshlin Smith was a 6-year-old girl, who lived with her mom and siblings in the Middelpos informal settlement of Saldanha Bay situated in the Western Cape. She was in Grade 1 at Diazville Primary School. On 19 February 2024, Joshlin was at home, left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, when she disappeared. At the time of Joshlin’s disappearance, Kelly Smith (her mother) stated she was at work.
The case initially garnered widespread sympathy, with community members rallying to assist in the search. However, as investigations progressed, suspicions arose regarding the involvement of her own mother and made the incident viral.
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What Is the Trial Case About?
The trial focused on Joshlin Smith’s disappearance and all evidence uncovered by law enforcement to ultimately convict her mother Kelly Smith, and her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn. These three had been convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking, and the evidence revealed planning to sell Joshlin for R20,000 (approximately $1000) to a traditional healer for body parts.
Key testimonies during the trial included:
- Lourentia Lombaard, a former co-accused turned state witness, who provided critical evidence linking the convicted individuals to the crime.
- Steven Coetzee, a preacher from Diazville, who testified that Kelly Smith had confided in him about plans to sell her children for R20,000 and was willing to accept R5,000.
You can watch the entire trail here: Pre-sentencing in Joshlin Smith case
Despite extensive search efforts, with investigations extending into international waters, Joshlin is still missing. The court has not officially ruled on what happened to her, and the criminals have not said what happened to her so far.
What Happens Next?
The convicted three will remain in detention at Pollsmoor Prison, until May 23, 2025, for their next appearance before the Western Cape High Court for procedural purposes. The sentencing proceedings will begin on May 27, 2025, where evidence and argument will take place on May 27 and 28. Final sentencing judgment will occur on May 29 .
During the sentencing, the court will consider victim impact statements that will address the emotional and psychological cost for Joshlin and the Diazville community, as well as expert testimony about human trafficking from the State to establish aggravating circumstances.
