South African Mother Sentenced Life Jail Trafficking Missing Daughter

Racquel “Kelly” Smith, a South African mother, was sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping and trafficking her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, who vanished near their home in Saldanha Bay in February 2024 and has not been found. Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn, were convicted after a six-week trial that revealed shocking allegations, including that Joshlin was sold to a traditional healer, or sangoma, interested in her eyes and skin. Witnesses testified that Smith had spoken about selling her children for money, with figures mentioned around 20,000 rand (£850). The trial deeply affected the local community and included emotional victim impact statements from Joshlin’s grandmother, a family friend, and her teacher, highlighting the heartbreak and bewilderment over the betrayal by her mother. The sentencing judge made no distinction between the roles of the three accused, handing down life sentences on the human trafficking charges and concurrent 10-year terms for kidnapping. The trial was held in a community center to accommodate public attendance, reflecting the widespread attention and sorrow surrounding this tragic case.