Joshlin Smith's grandmother's pain, suffering and 'mental anguish'

THE weight of her daughter's betrayal and the ongoing anguish of not knowing what has happened to her granddaughter has taken its toll on Amanda Smith-Daniels, the grandmother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

Smith-Daniels says she was grappling with deep psychological trauma after her daughter, Racquel “Kelly” Smith was sentenced to life in prison for trafficking her child.

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

“I must deal with psychologists and psychiatrists. 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 February 19, 2024.

According to Smith, 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 Smith, her co-accused, 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.