Joshlin Smith: Arson suspect linked to Kekana's murder

AS THe heartbreaking search for missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith continues, the tragedy has reverberated far beyond her immediate family - leaving deep emotional scars across the broader community and seemingly opening up old wounds for others.

- TRACY-LYNN RUITERS

One such incident involves a young woman, Monique Kekana, 27, whose name became known after she was arrested for allegedly setting fire to the shack Joshlin lived in.

This happened just hours after Joshlin's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, and their friend Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn were convicted of kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in the Multi Purpose Centre, White City, in Saldanha.

Monique, it emerged, was just 13-years-old when she experienced a similar traumatic event, when her cousin Monteshca Kekana also went missing and was never found.

Monteshca's aunt, Patricia "Patty" Jacobs, said Monteshca's disappearance was hard on all of them, especially for Monique.

"They were around the same age when Monteshca disappeared. They often played together, so I do think that the anger she had that day had something to do with her living circumstances and also the disappearance of Monteshca.

"We searched for her, even after Cecil was sentenced."

Monteshca's mom has since passed on after being involved in a car accident, while her grandma passed on from cancer.

Aunty Patty said this does not stop them still searching for answers.