South African Woman, Two Men Sentenced Life Human Trafficking Daughter

A South African woman, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, was sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and sale of her 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin, who remains missing since February 2024. Alongside her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and another accomplice, Steveno van Rhyn, Smith was convicted on charges of human trafficking and kidnapping, with all receiving life sentences for trafficking and concurrent 10-year terms for kidnapping. The trial revealed that Joshlin was reportedly sold for around 20,000 rand ($1,100) to a traditional healer interested in her body parts, though the child's whereabouts remain unknown despite extensive search efforts involving police and community volunteers. The case shocked South Africa, highlighting the severe issues of child exploitation and human trafficking amid the country's high crime rates. Judge Nathan Erasmus emphasized the severity of the crime by imposing the strictest punishment and ordering the convicts' names be added to the child protection register. This tragic incident has spurred calls for stronger protections and legal measures to safeguard vulnerable children from similar fates.