In a case that has shocked South Africa and garnered international attention, Kelly Smith, the mother of 6-year-old Joshlin Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn, were convicted on Friday, May 2, 2025, of kidnapping and trafficking charges related to the disappearance of Joshlin in February 2024.
The case has raised deep concerns over child trafficking and ritual killings in certain regions of South Africa.
The Disappearance and Horrifying Allegations
Joshlin Smith was reported missing on February 19, 2024, from the Saldanha Bay area on South Africa’s west coast, sparking a massive search that involved the South African Navy. However, despite efforts by authorities, Joshlin’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Testimony during the trial revealed disturbing details about the circumstances of her disappearance. Kelly Smith, Joshlin’s mother, admitted to selling her daughter to a sangoma — a traditional healer who, according to reports, wanted Joshlin “for her eyes and skin.”
This chilling detail was confirmed through witness statements, including one from neighbor Lourentia Lombaard, who testified that Smith confided in her, saying she had “done something silly” and sold Joshlin. Lombaard also claimed that Smith had attempted to offer hush money to people who knew about her plan.
In a shocking revelation, Joshlin’s teacher also testified about a conversation with Smith, during which the mother allegedly said Joshlin was “on a ship, inside a container, and on the way to West Africa.”
The Trial and Convictions
Despite denying the charges, Smith, Appollis, and van Rhyn were found guilty of trafficking Joshlin for ritual purposes. The court heard overwhelming testimony and circumstantial evidence that led to their convictions.
During the reading of the guilty verdict, Kelly Smith was reportedly reduced to tears, while the public gallery reacted with applause in support of the decision.
A woman who had initially been suspected of being the intended recipient of Joshlin — a suspected traditional healer — was arrested during the investigation but was later released due to a lack of concrete evidence.
Sentencing and Ongoing Search for Joshlin
While sentencing has not yet been determined, the three convicted individuals face the possibility of life imprisonment. The case has brought renewed attention to child trafficking and ritual killings, which remain concerns in some areas.
South African authorities have vowed to continue their efforts to locate Joshlin and uncover the full extent of the crime.
Public Outrage and International Attention
The conviction has sparked outrage both domestically and internationally, with many condemning the horrific crime. The case highlights the dark reality of child exploitation for ritualistic purposes, a disturbing practice that still exists in some parts of South Africa.
The disappearance of Joshlin has left her family devastated, and her father has publicly spoken about the pain of losing his daughter. While her fate remains unknown, the family and the broader community hope that continued efforts will bring answers and justice.