Gran is battling after her daughter's life sentence

AMANDA Smith-Daniels, the grandmother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, says she is grappling with deep psychological trauma after her daughter, Racquel “Kelly” Smith was sentenced to life in prison for trafficking her child.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

In an emotional interview, Smith-Daniels revealed that she has been admitted to a psychiatric facility for treatment for severe depression.

The weight of her daughter's betrayal and the anguish of not knowing what happened to her granddaughter have taken a devastating toll.

"I have to work on my mental health because it's too much," she said. "My pillow is riddled with tears. Every night I lie awake praying for Joshlin."

Joshlin went missing from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February 2024.

According to Kelly, she left her daughter in the care of her boyfriend Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis while she went to work. When she returned home, Joshlin was gone. A massive search effort was launched, but over a year later, the little girl has still not been found.

Following months of court proceedings, Kelly, Appollis, and their friend Steveno "Steffie" van Rhyn were convicted and sentenced to life for human trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping. A fourth accused, Lourentia "Renz" Lombaard, turned State witness.

Since the sentencing, Smith-Daniels says her daughter has cut all ties with her - even sending police officers to deliver the message that she wanted no further contact.

"She blames me, I think, for what I said in court. But I only told the truth."