Local sources from South Africa: People.com, People.com.
UK coverage: The Independent.
In a case that has gripped the nation and shed light on the dark undercurrents of human trafficking in South Africa, a mother, her boyfriend, and their friend were sentenced to life imprisonment for the trafficking and kidnapping of the woman’s 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, who went missing in February 2024 and remains unaccounted for. The mother, identified as Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, along with Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, faced the full rigour of the law in a case that has exposed the depths of human depravity and sparked widespread outrage across the country. The sentencing took place against the backdrop of a rising tide of kidnappings in South Africa, placing the spotlight on a growing national crisis. Joshlin Smith disappeared from Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, launching a nationwide search that ended in a shocking revelation. Her mother, initially the object of public sympathy, was later found to have sold her daughter to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand, a fact that came to light through the course of the investigation. Despite extensive efforts, the young girl has not been found, leaving the community and the nation to grapple with the horrifying reality of her fate. Witnesses during the trial testified to conversations wherein Kelly Smith discussed the sale of her daughter for her ‘eyes and skin,’ confessions that ultimately contributed to the convictions. The trio also received a concurrent 10-year jail term for kidnapping, underscoring the severity of their crimes. The judge, in delivering the sentence, noted the absence of any redeeming factors that could mitigate the punishment, highlighting the lack of remorse shown by the perpetrators. This case has not only sent shockwaves through South Africa but has also called attention to the broader issue of child trafficking and the exploitation of the vulnerable. As the community mourns the loss of innocence and the judiciary sends a clear message of intolerance towards such heinous acts, the question of how to protect the most vulnerable remains pressing. The search for Joshlin Smith continues, a poignant reminder of the ongoing battle against human trafficking and the imperative to safeguard the rights and lives of children everywhere.
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