100africa.com Investigative Reporting
In a case that has gripped South Africa with horror and outrage, a mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, along with her boyfriend, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were convicted on May 2, 2025, of kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with the disappearance of Smith’s six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. The convictions, handed down at the Western Cape High Court in Vredenburg, followed a trial that exposed chilling details of a crime that shocked a nation already grappling with high rates of violent crime and human trafficking. Joshlin, who vanished from her home in the impoverished Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay in February 2024, remains missing despite a nationwide search. This report delves into the case’s background, trial proceedings, societal impact, and broader implications, drawing from multiple sources to provide a comprehensive account.
Background of the Case
Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old girl with a fair complexion and blue-green eyes, was last seen in February 2024 in Saldanha Bay, a coastal town in South Africa’s Western Cape. Her disappearance sparked widespread concern, with her photograph—showing her smiling with pigtails—broadcast across national media, prompting a massive police search. Initially, Kelly Smith, Joshlin’s mother, appeared as a grieving parent, garnering sympathy from neighbors who joined police in scouring sand dunes near their shack settlement. However, the investigation took a devastating turn when evidence emerged implicating Smith herself in her daughter’s disappearance.
According to court testimony, Smith, aged 35, allegedly sold Joshlin for approximately 20,000 rand (about $1,100 USD) to a traditional healer, or sangoma, who reportedly sought the child for her “eyes and skin color” or body parts. The prosecution alleged that Smith orchestrated the abduction with the help of Appollis, her boyfriend, and van Rhyn, a mutual friend. All three pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and human trafficking, but the evidence presented by 35 state witnesses proved overwhelming.
The case unfolded in a community marked by poverty and limited resources, highlighting the vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit. Middelpos, where Joshlin lived, is an informal settlement characterized by makeshift housing and economic hardship, conditions that often leave children and families exposed to exploitation.
The Trial: Key Evidence and Testimonies
The trial, moved to a sports hall in Saldanha Bay to accommodate community attendance, revealed harrowing details. A pivotal piece of evidence came from a female witness who testified that Smith confessed to selling Joshlin to a sangoma for ritualistic purposes, specifically citing the child’s fair complexion and distinctive eye color as desirable traits. This testimony aligned with reports of Joshlin being targeted for her physical attributes, a chilling reminder of the demand for body parts in some traditional practices, though such cases are rare and controversial in South Africa.
Prosecutors further highlighted Smith’s behavior on the day Joshlin disappeared. Rather than actively searching for her daughter, Smith was reportedly seen charging her phone, a detail Judge Nathan Erasmus cited as indicative of her indifference. None of the accused—Smith, Appollis, or van Rhyn—took the stand in their defense, leaving the prosecution’s evidence unchallenged. Judge Erasmus, in his ruling, declared the trio guilty of both kidnapping and trafficking, stating, “You are guilty of… trafficking in persons in relation to Joshlin Smith. On count two, you are also convicted of kidnapping.”
The court did not specify the identity of the buyer or the precise motive beyond the witness’s testimony, leaving some questions unanswered. The absence of Joshlin’s body or definitive proof of her fate added to the case’s complexity, but the evidence was sufficient for conviction. The three were remanded in custody pending sentencing, with the possibility of life imprisonment looming.
Societal Reaction and Public Outrage
Joshlin’s disappearance and the subsequent revelations sent shockwaves across South Africa, a country where child abductions and violent crimes are distressingly common. Posts on X captured the public’s visceral reaction, with users expressing grief and anger. One user wrote, “What an Evil🥲😡🥲,” while another called for harsher penalties, stating, “Until Death Penalties are enacted for these creatures…the issues will not go away.” The case’s brutality—particularly the betrayal by Joshlin’s own mother—intensified public dismay, with media outlets describing it as a “horrific” and “outrageous” crime.
The trial’s high profile was evident in its community impact. Residents of Saldanha Bay, who had initially rallied to support Smith, felt betrayed as her guilt emerged. The decision to hold the trial in a public venue underscored the case’s significance, allowing locals to witness justice being served. However, the lack of closure—Joshlin remains missing—left many grappling with unresolved grief.
Broader Context: Human Trafficking in South Africa
This case casts a spotlight on the persistent issue of human trafficking in South Africa, a hub for both regional and international trafficking networks. The country’s 2022 census estimated 2.4 million foreign-born residents, including vulnerable undocumented migrants like the 58,000 Ethiopians noted in a separate trafficking case. Poverty, unemployment, and social inequality create fertile ground for exploitation, with children particularly at risk. The U.S. State Department’s 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report ranks South Africa as a Tier 2 country, indicating significant efforts to combat trafficking but falling short of international standards.
Cases like Joshlin’s, involving familial trafficking, are especially disturbing. Experts note that traffickers often exploit trust within families or communities, making detection harder. The alleged involvement of a sangoma also raises concerns about the misuse of traditional practices, though such incidents are not representative of the broader cultural role of healers in South Africa.
Critical Analysis: Unanswered Questions and Systemic Failures
While the convictions mark a step toward justice, the case exposes systemic gaps. The failure to locate Joshlin despite a year-long search points to limitations in law enforcement resources and coordination, particularly in marginalized areas like Middelpos. The reliance on witness testimony, while compelling, leaves uncertainty about Joshlin’s fate and the full extent of the trafficking network involved. Critics argue that South Africa’s justice system, while responsive in this case, struggles to address the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and lack of social protections.
Moreover, the case challenges the narrative of parental protection, forcing society to confront the reality that caregivers can be perpetrators. This betrayal complicates community-based prevention efforts, which often rely on family vigilance. The public’s call for harsher penalties, as seen in X posts, reflects frustration with perceived leniency in trafficking cases, though South Africa’s laws already allow for life sentences in such crimes.
Conclusion
The conviction of Kelly Smith and her accomplices for the kidnapping and trafficking of Joshlin Smith is a grim milestone in South Africa’s fight against human trafficking. The case, rooted in betrayal and exploitation, underscores the vulnerabilities of children in impoverished communities and the complexities of combating familial trafficking. While justice has been served in the courtroom, the absence of Joshlin leaves a wound that may never heal for her community and the nation. As South Africa reflects on this tragedy, the case demands renewed focus on prevention, resource allocation, and systemic reforms to protect the most vulnerable.
Prepared by: 100africa.com Investigative Reporting Unit
Date: May 5, 2025