'KELLY, TELL ME WHERE JOSHLIN IS'

AS JUDGE Nathan Erasmus read out his judgment finding all three accused, including the mother of missing Joshlin Smith, guilty of human trafficking and kidnapping, spontaneous applause broke out in the public gallery of the Western Cape High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

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

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.

Kelly, 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. Daily, 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)."

Meanwhile, Joshlin's paternal grandmother, Louretta Yon, said: "I am very happy that the judge convicted the three. I hope the judge will give them two life sentences. But that doesn't matter, though what matters is that Joshlin is not with us.