GUILTY! BUT JOSHLIN'S STILL MISSING

Applause in court as judgmemt is read

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

“TELL us where Joshlin is.” It’s the cry that echoed beyond the courtroom walls, past the fences and streets of Saldanha Bay, and into the hearts of a nation gripped by the disap-pearance of a child.

As Judge Nathan Erasmus delivered a verdict of guilt against Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend Steveno “Ste-ffie” van Rhyn for the kidnapping and trafficking of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, spontaneous applause broke out in the gallery.

The six-year-old girl went missing on February 19, 2024, from her Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, home.

She missed school that morning as her mom, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, claimed she had been sick and then told others her daughter's uniform was dirty.

The mom, her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn were convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking.

The trio was arrested two weeks after Joshlin went missing. On Thursday, people from different areas made their way to the White City Multipurpose Centre. More than 200 people were allowed to go inside to listen to the proceedings, and many others remained across the street from the Diazville hall.

Kelly's mother, Amanda Smith Daniels, said: “I just want my grandchild back. It doesn’t matter how long they are going to stay in jail, but my grandchild is still gone.

“Kelly must tell me where my grandchild is, that’s all. I am angry at Kelly because nobody knows if Joshlin is still alive, and I don’t want to see her (Kelly).”