Joshlin's case puts role of Children's Commissioner under spotlight

A REVIEW of what the Western Cape Children's Commissioner (WCCC) achieved in its first term will be necessary to determine which issues to give priority to and focus on as the search for a new head is set to get underway in the coming weeks.

- NICOLA DANIELS

This is according to Molo Songololo director Patric Solomons who said there were many serious and pressing issues that affect and impact children in the Western Cape, and need to be urgently addressed.

His remarks come amid the conviction of missing Joshlin Smith's mother Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, and their friend Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn for Trafficking in Persons for the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping. Joshlin went missing in February last year while in Appolis' care.

The state maintained during the recent trial that the three had planned to sell the child. The Joshlin case has also put into the spotlight the role of the Western Cape Children's Commissioner whom activists have criticised for not playing an active role in.