South Africa - Joslin Smith, 6, Saldanha Bay, Weston Cape, 19 Feb 2024

[GuyfromCanada]

SEPT 16

The mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, her boyfriend and two other suspects will remain in custody while police investigate new evidence in the kidnapping and human trafficking case.

Racquel Chantel Smith, known as Kelly, boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, friend Steveno van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombard appeared in the Vredenberg magistrate's court on Monday.

More at ‘New evidence’ to be probed in case of missing child Joshlin Smith

 

[imstilla.grandma]

According to SNL, the State revealed how Joslin Smith disappeared and the suspects' involvement during a court appearance in October. Kelly allegedly planned to sell her children in August 2023 and for it to happen in February 2024. On 18 February, Kelly and Joslin went to a white car parked near their home. Kelly spoke to a woman who emerged from the vehicle and received something from her. She and the suspects then discussed dividing the profits from selling Joslin.

Kelly then told Joslin to stay home from school on 19 February; later, during the day, she returned and fetched Joslin. She packed a bag with her and left the house. They entered a vehicle, and later, after looking for her, she returned and reported her missing daughter. The suspects remain behind bars, and the case is expected to continue next year.

In a related article, Briefly News reported that a couple who wanted to adopt Joslin poured their hearts out. Natasha and Lionel Andrews planned to adopt Joslin before she disappeared.

Natasha revealed she was willing to take Joslin into her home, but her mother did not want to. When she visited, she even had her bed and received clothes and school supplies from them

Joslin Smith: Timeline of disappearance, suspects and court appearances in 2024

Six year-old Joslin Smith from Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape disappeared in February. Her mother was arrested as one of the suspects and remains behind bars.

briefly.co.za

 

[imstilla.grandma]

The State is set to divulge more details about co-accused Jaquen Appolis and Stevano van Rhyn's involvement in the case during the pre-trial hearing.

Pre-trial hearing related to Joshlin Smith disappearance set to proceed in court

Joshlin went missing from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay on 19 February 2024.

www.ewn.co.za

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Hundreds gathered at a Middelpos primary school in Saldanha Bay on Wednesday for a prayer march marking one year since seven-year-old Joshlin Smith's disappearance

https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/missing-joshlin-smith-saldanha-bay-residents-hold-prayer-service-for-her-safe-return-one-year-on-2025021

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[LadyL]

has it been said what they received in return for selling their child?

 

[CalliopeMuse]

has it been said what they received in return for selling their child?

According to a BBC article from last year (3/2024):

The prosecution alleges that Ms Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused, Stefano van Rhyn, to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £835), the privately owned Citizen newspaper reports.

 

[truthfinder2019]

I just read this thread and I am shocked and speechless and very angry that anyone, let alone a mother, can do this to a child.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Joshlin Smith disappearance: Missing girl was wanted for her 'eyes and skin'

Court witnesses reveal shocking details about the disappearance of Joshlin Smith.

www.bbc.com

 

[truthfinder2019]

Defence lawyer for accused one in Joslin Smith trial says client was tortured

A trial within a trial got under way on Friday to determine the admissibility of the accused’s statements

mg.co.za

Racquel Chantel Smith, known as Kelly, at the pretrial hearing. File photo.
Image: Ruvan Boshoff
A mother and two co-accused pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and human trafficking charges on Monday as their trial got under way in connection with the disappearance of her six-year-old daughter Joslin Smith.

Trio plead not guilty in Joslin Smith kidnap, human trafficking trial

A mother and two co-accused pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and human trafficking charges on Monday as their trial got under way in connection with the disappearance of her six-year-old daughter Joshlin Smith.

www.sowetanlive.co.za

 

[truthfinder2019]

Joslin Smith: Defence accuses cop of trying to exploit accused’s weaknesses to gain confession

Sergeant Dawid Fortuin took advantage of Steveno van Rhyn’s ‘youth and vulnerability’, according to attorney Nobahle Mkabayi

mg.co.za

'My child is on a boat to West Africa': Joslin Smith trial hears gripping testimony by teacher

Joslin Smith's grade 1 teacher gave gripping testimony in the kidnapping and human trafficking trial of the missing child's mother on Wednesday in the high court in Saldanha Bay.

www.sowetanlive.co.za

SABC News

 

[truthfinder2019]

Joslin Smith: Accused two says police did not treat him with ‘respect and dignity’

Steveno van Rhyn detailed alleged police torture as the trial-within-a-trial continued in the Western Cape high court

mg.co.za

 

[Unalienable Rights]

All 3 accused in Joshlin Smith case found guilty

All three accused in the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith have been found guilty on charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.

www.jacarandafm.com

All three accused in the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith have been found guilty on charges of kidnapping and human trafficking by the Western Cape High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay.

 

[tlorik]

Good - I hope they burn.

 

[moonriverfarm]

WHERE IS THIS CHILD???????

 

[imstilla.grandma]

On Friday, the public gallery was packed with people and among them was the founder of the Mitchells Plain-based Faith and Hope Missing Persons organisation, Veranique Williams, who has been involved in the case since the child's disappearance.

"I agree fully with the community when they say that justice will not be served in not finding Joshlin. I think that we first need to find Joshlin before justice needs to be served. Kelly needs to talk and tell us where her child is. I assume she knows where her child is."

Kelly Smith must tell us where Joshlin is, says founder of missing persons organisation

There will be no justice for Joshlin Smith until her mother sheds light on the missing girl's whereabouts, community members said at the Western Cape High Court on Friday.

www.ewn.co.za

 

[imstilla.grandma]

 

[cocomod]

Girl, 6, Disappeared Last Year — Now Mom Is Convicted of Selling Her for Her 'Eyes and Skin'​

Girl, 6, Disappeared Last Year — Now Mom Is Convicted of Selling Her for Her 'Eyes and Skin'

Kelly Smith and two others involved in Joshlin Smith's 2024 disappearance were convicted on kidnapping and trafficking charges on Friday

people.com

A South African mother and two others were convicted on Friday on kidnapping and trafficking charges after authorities say she possibly sold her daughter to a local healer who wanted the 6-year-old child for her eye and skin color.

The BBC also reported that Smith’s boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and the couple’s friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were also found guilty on kidnapping and trafficking charges related to Joshlin’s disappearance.

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Hours after the judgment, the place Joshlin once called home was burned to the ground.

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie said: “Saldanha SAPS in the Western Cape registered a case of arson for investigation on Friday evening after Kelly Smith’s Middelpos dwelling was destroyed in a fire.

“An adult female has been taken in for questioning.”

‘She was treated like a commodity’: All three accused found guilty in Joshlin Smith case

Three individuals were convicted of human trafficking in the heart-wrenching case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, prompting a national conversation about the systemic failures that allowed this tragedy to occur.

iol.co.za

 

[StillDiggin]

Mother who sold daughter for £800 to traditional healer in South Africa jailed

Six-year-old Joshlin Smith is still missing after months of searching

www.lbc.co.uk