Joshlin case: A key trial in SA's human trafficking fight

IN powerful closing arguments on Tuesday, Senior State Advocate Zelda Swanepoel described the Joshlin Smith case as unlike any South Africa has seen before, a heartbreaking story where the victim's voice has not been heard.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

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

Her mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, and their friend, Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn, were charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.

They have pleaded not guilty.

Former accused Lourentia 'Renz' Lombaard testified that Kelly sold her daughter to a sangoma for R20 000.

Addressing the Western Cape High Court, Swanepoel explained that in most human trafficking cases, the child is recovered and can testify about what happened. But Joshlin remains missing. Her absence, Swanepoel said, makes this case unprecedented.

"Usually, in a TIP (Trafficking in Persons) case, the most important source of information is the victim," she told the court. "In this case, we don't have that."