Kelly Smith, Two Others Guilty in Joshlin Case

Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn were found guilty by the Western Cape High Court of kidnapping and trafficking six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who disappeared in February 2024 and remains missing. Judge Nathan Erasmus accepted key testimony from State witness Lourentia ‘Renz’ Lombaard, who alleged that Smith sold her daughter to a traditional healer, and heard from other witnesses about Smith's intent to sell her children. The verdict was delivered at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville to a highly emotional public. The case has deeply shaken the West Coast community and attracted widespread national attention. Despite the convictions, authorities have not located Joshlin. The convicted trio will remain in custody pending sentencing.