JOSHLIN-SMITH CASE TRIO WANT TO APPEAL THEIR LIFE SENTENCES

Search continues to locate the six-year-old girl

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE

MINUTES after receiving life sentences, the three individuals convicted of kidnapping and trafficking six-year-old Joshlin Smith indicated their intention to appeal the ruling.

Joshlin's mother, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis, and family acquaintance Steveno "Steffie" van Rhyn were found guilty in the Western Cape High Court following the child's disappearance from her Middelpos, Saldanha Bay home on 19 February 2024. The court heard that Joshlin was sold for R20 000.

Van Rhyn's legal representative, Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, said their fight was not over.

"I have spoken to my client and he is fine. I maintain that my client is innocent; he only tried to sell a microwave. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time and did not know about this crime. The matter is still pending and going on appeal."

As the three were led away to begin serving life behind bars, the courtroom and community remained united by grief and unanswered questions.

Joshlin's godmother, Natasha Andrews, said the silence from the trio during sentencing deepened the family's pain.

"She was our baby daughter. She lived with us, ate, and went on holidays with us, we did everything for her.