Joshlin's father demands answers: where is she?

AS THE three people convicted of kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin Smith begin serving life sentences, the missing six-year-old's father, Jose Emke, has broken his silence, calling for the truth and expressing deep fears for the safety of his surviving daughter.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

Joshlin disappeared from her Middelpos, Saldanha Bay home, on February 19, 2024.

Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, reported her missing that evening, telling police she had left her daughter in the care of her boyfriend, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, while she went to work.

Within two weeks, Kelly, Appollis, and their friend Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn were arrested and later charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.

Phumza “Maka Lima” Sigaqa, who was co-accused, was later released after charges against her were withdrawn. Another woman, Lourentia “Renz” Lombaard, turned State witness and testified that she had been involved in a plot to sell Joshlin to a sangoma for R20000.

On May 2, Kelly, Appollis, and Van Rhyn were found guilty in the Western Cape High Court.

On Thursday, they were sentenced to life imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping, with the sentences to run concurrently.

Presiding officer Judge Nathan Erasmus said the trio, including Lombaard, failed Joshlin and their actions tore the Saldanha Bay community apart.

“Mr Appollis said he fed Joshlin, he cared for her, and looked her in the eye. You sat there and did nothing; betraying the trust she must have had in you, Mr Appollis, as her parent — and you, Ms Smith, as the one who gave birth to her — and Mr Van Rhyn being that good friend, a father of a small child.