Trial of South African Mother Over Missing Daughter Continues

The ongoing trial of Kelly Smith, accused of orchestrating the kidnapping of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, has revealed alarming details regarding the circumstances of Joshlin's disappearance in February 2024. Testimonies indicate that a traditional healer, or 'sangoma,' may have sought Joshlin for her distinctive fair skin and light eyes, leading to accusations that Smith sold her daughter for around $1,100. Both Kelly Smith and her accomplices, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, have pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. The court has heard that Smith delayed reporting her daughter's disappearance and appeared more concerned about her boyfriend during the search efforts. Witnesses have testified that Smith discussed selling her children and made troubling statements about Joshlin's fate, including claims that her daughter was already on a ship bound for West Africa. Despite extensive searches, Joshlin remains missing, raising significant concerns within the community.