A Child Still Missing, A Nation Still Grieving
In one of South Africa’s most heartbreaking and high-profile child trafficking cases, the long-awaited sentencing for the convicted kidnappers of six-year-old Joshlin Smith is scheduled for May 27–29, 2025. While the legal system moves toward justice, the haunting question remains: Where is “Joshlin”.
“Joshlin Smith” vanished from her home in the “Middelpos” informal settlement of “Saldanha Bay” on “February 19, 2024”. Her disappearance ignited a national outcry and placed a glaring spotlight on the issues of missing children and human trafficking in “South Africa”.
Trial and Convictions: Betrayal at the Hands of Family
Western Cape Child Abduction Case Ends in Guilty Verdicts
The Western Cape High Court, sitting at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville to accommodate the public, found Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking on May 2, 2025.
Key testimony from Lourentia “Renz” Lombaard, a former co-accused turned state witness, revealed that Kelly Smith had confessed to selling Joshlin to a traditional healer for R20,000 (±$1,100), allegedly due to the child’s eye and skin color—a deeply disturbing motive that has intensified outrage over racialized child trafficking in South Africa.
Another witness, Steven Coetzee, claimed Smith had previously expressed intentions to sell her children. Judge Nathan Erasmus remarked on Smith’s “chilling lack of concern” during the investigation—behavior alarmingly inconsistent with that of a grieving mother.
Sentencing Schedule: Three Days to Deliver Justice
Diazville Court Proceedings to Include Victim Impact Statements
The sentencing phase will unfold over three days—May 27 to 29—again at the Diazville venue, with the aim of fostering community transparency. Proceedings will feature emotional victim impact statements and professional assessments from social workers detailing the psychological trauma inflicted on the community.
The convicted remain in custody at Pollsmoor Prison and will appear in court on May 23 for procedural confirmations ahead of sentencing.
Middelpos, Saldanha Bay: A Community in Mourning
Family Demands Truth; Community Demands Justice
The reaction from Saldanha Bay residents has been a mixture of sorrow, disbelief, and determination. Amanda Smith Daniels, Joshlin’s maternal grandmother, has publicly demanded answers from her daughter, expressing devastation and anger over the betrayal.
Local advocacy organizations, including the Faith and Hope Missing Persons Unit, have renewed calls for the establishment of a dedicated missing persons unit within the South African Police Service to handle growing cases of child abductions.
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Contextual Impact: A Systemic Breakdown in Protecting Children
South Africa’s Human Trafficking Crisis in 2025
This case has reignited national discourse on child protection laws, systemic gaps in missing persons investigations, and the rising trend of traditional healer-linked trafficking.
The lack of closure in Joshlin’s disappearance—despite convictions—has emphasized the need for:
- Early intervention protocols
- Data-sharing between agencies
- Enhanced tracking systems for missing children
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is Joshlin Smith now?
Joshlin remains missing. Authorities continue to pursue leads, but her location has not been confirmed since her disappearance in February 2024.
What are the charges faced by the convicted?
The trio was convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking under South African law.
When will sentencing occur?
Sentencing is scheduled from May 27 to 29, 2025, with a court appearance on May 23 for final procedural matters.
Conclusion
The Search for Truth Continues
As the sentencing nears, the Middelpos community and the nation at large hope for justice—but also answers. The Joshlin Smith case is more than a criminal proceeding; it’s a call to action for a country grappling with the painful epidemic of missing children.