In a harrowing case that has shocked South Africa and drawn national outrage, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for her role in the kidnapping and trafficking of her own daughter. Her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and close friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were also handed life sentences for their involvement in the heinous crime.
The judgment was delivered on Thursday, May 29, 2025, by Judge Nathan Erasmus at the Western Cape High Court. The three were convicted of human trafficking and kidnapping, with each receiving life sentences for trafficking and 10-year concurrent sentences for kidnapping.
Judge Erasmus did not mince words during sentencing, stating that the gravity of their actions left “no room for mercy.” He emphasized that the trio had exploited the innocence of a child for financial gain and displayed no remorse throughout the trial.
“There is no justification, no mitigating factor, no shred of humanity in what these individuals have done,” the judge declared. “The law must send a message that children are not for sale.”
Joshlin Smith was last seen in February 2024 in Saldanha Bay, a coastal fishing town north of Cape Town. Her disappearance sparked an immediate and widespread search operation. With her distinctive green eyes and bright smile, Joshlin’s image became a heartbreaking symbol of hope and desperation. Posters, media coverage, and community efforts flooded the region, yet she was never found.
Initially, her mother, Kelly Smith, garnered sympathy and public support, appearing distraught in interviews and public appeals. However, as investigations progressed, suspicions grew around her inconsistent statements and lack of cooperation with authorities.
The prosecution’s case revealed a horrifying betrayal: Kelly Smith had orchestrated the sale of her daughter, reportedly accepting 20,000 rand (around $1,100) from a traditional healer, also known as a sangoma. The motive? Joshlin’s light complexion and unusually colored eyes made her desirable for ritualistic purposes.
Testimonies presented in court indicated that Smith had considered even lower offers—some as little as 5,000 rand. Witnesses recalled disturbing comments she had made about her children being “taken” and warned that a search would yield “nothing.”
“She viewed her daughter not as a human being, but as a commodity,” prosecutors told the court. “It was a deliberate, premeditated decision to trade her child for money.”
Co-conspirators Appollis and van Rhyn were found to have assisted in planning and facilitating the exchange. Phone records, surveillance footage, and witness accounts placed them in critical locations during the days leading up to Joshlin’s disappearance.
Despite the convictions, Joshlin Smith remains missing, and her fate unknown. Her family, especially her grandmother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, continues to live in anguish. “No prison sentence can bring her back,” she said. “We just want to know what happened to her—where she is.
Joshlin Smith Case: Mother and Two Others Sentenced to Life for Kidnapping and Human Trafficking
The case has left a deep scar on the Saldanha Bay community and reignited national concerns over the rise in child kidnappings and trafficking in South Africa. Civil society groups and children’s advocacy organizations have praised the court’s strong stance and called for broader systemic efforts to protect vulnerable children.
South African police confirmed that the missing person investigation remains active, with law enforcement pledging to continue efforts to locate Joshlin. “Our work is far from over,” said a police spokesperson. “We will pursue every lead, however small, until we uncover the truth.”
The Department of Social Development and child welfare groups have renewed calls for stricter child protection laws and more funding for early intervention programs. Community members in Saldanha Bay have also organized vigils and awareness events, vowing not to let Joshlin’s memory fade.
While justice may have been served in the courtroom, the emotional and societal wounds left by the Joshlin Smith case remain raw. The life sentences handed down may offer some measure of accountability, but they cannot erase the pain of a missing child—or the chilling realization that those entrusted to love and protect her were the ones who caused her harm.
