Joshlin Smith’s mother found guilty of trafficking her daughter

As questions remain over where 6-year-old Joshlin Smith is, her mother, Kelly, and her two co-accused have been found guilty of trafficking and kidnapping the little girl.

After more than a month-long trial, Judge Nathan Erasmus found that the state has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt that the accused played a role in the disappearance of Joshlin.

Her mother and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were arrested shortly after the 6-year old went missing on the 19th of February last year.

The little girl’s disappearance sent shockwaves across the country, while the search for her continues.

The Western Cape High Court, which sat in Saldanha Bay for the duration of the trial to accommodate community members, heard some chilling testimony from witnesses.

Among some of the jaw dropping evidence presented in court is that Kelly sold Joshling to a sangoma for R20 000.

It is also alleged that the child was sold for her beautiful eyes and skin.

The court also heard that there was conversation of the child possibly being shipped to West Africa.

In the scathing ruling, Judge Erasmus found that based on the evidence presented before court, Joshlin was exchanged and that her freedom of movement and liberty was inhibited.

Erasmus slammed Kelly’s nonchalant approach to her child’s disappearance and her refusal to take the stand, despite all the evidence placed before the court.

“You’ve heard the evidence, why not come and tell me that they are lying but your conduct was such from day one (19 February 2024), there’s no real interest, you don’t go search for the child.”

The 6-year-old’s paternal grandmother Rita Yon has welcomed the ruling, saying it is disheartening that the little girl’s mother refuses to tell the truth about the child’s whereabouts.

“There are many questions of where Joshlin is, but we will never know because Kelly doesn’t want to speak.”

Community leader, Denia Jansen, says the verdict brings a bit of hope for the women and children who usually fall prey to GBV in this country.

“Today justice was restored and we are very happy.”

Police say they remain hopeful that they will find the little girl as investigations into her disappearance continue.

Judge Nathan Erasmus 🫶🫶🫶🫶🫶
Let’s show him some love ❤️

Kelly Smith Joshlin Smith pic.twitter.com/FEwfBdvFwA

— IG:Joy-Zelda (@joy_zelda) May 2, 2025

It’s not okay that Lorentia Lombard isn’t going to jail too, she’s as guilty as the rest.
We still don’t know where Joshlin Smith is. 😡😡😡 #JoshlinSmithTrial

— The Insatiable (@HeIsGeoff) May 2, 2025

Judge Nathan Erasmus was incredibly efficient in this matter shem.

Erasmus gave Joshlin Smith swift justice to the best of his abilities.

I just wish Judge Ratha Mokgoatlheng can do the same in the #SenzoMeyiwaTrial.

But where is Joshlin Smith and/or her remains?😭 https://t.co/G6Wzl7gWth

— TeeBow The Foodie (@masthibo) May 2, 2025

Joshlin Smith’s story is heartbreaking – what could drive a parent to do this?

— Swaggy McNasty (@SwaggyMcNasty) May 2, 2025

This woman won’t say who she sold Joshlin Smith to because she knows what the child was bought for and who the buyer is will shock the whole world.

— mpumy (@love_live_move) May 2, 2025