In a disturbing case that captured national attention, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn have each been sentenced to life in prison without parole for human trafficking.
They also received an additional 10 years for kidnapping six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who disappeared from her home in Saldanha Bay, South Africa, in February 2024 and remains missing.
Court Acts Despite Absence of Victim’s Body
Despite no physical evidence of Joshlin’s whereabouts, the court imposed maximum sentences based on powerful witness testimonies. These accounts detailed a chilling plan involving the premeditated trafficking of the child to unknown recipients.
National Outcry Over Allegations of Child Sales
Joshlin’s disappearance sparked widespread outrage across South Africa. During the trial, testimony revealed that Smith had discussed selling her children for money.
A local pastor testified that Smith talked about selling her children for about $1,100 each. Another witness claimed Smith sold Joshlin to a traditional healer for her “eyes and skin.”
Judge Condemns Defendants’ Lack of Remorse
Judge Nathan Erasmus, addressing a tense courtroom, condemned the defendants for showing no remorse or accountability. “There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming or deserving of a lesser sentence,” he said. The public reacted with gasps and applause, signaling a sense of relief at the verdict.
Ongoing Search and Community Grief
Joshlin’s grandmother expressed the profound pain shared by the community, stating, “No sentence will bring my grandchild back.” Authorities continue searching for the child, extending efforts beyond South African borders.
This tragic case has brought renewed focus to the dangers of child trafficking and the heightened vulnerabilities faced by children in impoverished communities affected by addiction.