Six-year-old Joshlin Smith still missing as court hears disturbing details of body part trade
A South African mother has been sentenced to life imprisonment for trafficking her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, to a traditional healer who allegedly sought the child’s body parts. The mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, and her partner, Jacquen Appollis, were convicted after a harrowing eight-week trial that gripped the community of Saldanha.
The Western Cape High Court, which held proceedings in a local community center to allow public access, heard that the child was sold for 20,000 rand (around $1,100), with specific reference made to her “eyes and skin.” Despite extensive police efforts, Joshlin remains missing.
Judge condemns ‘lack of remorse’ and community impact
Presiding Judge Nathan Erasmus delivered a powerful rebuke to the accused, handing both Smith and Appollis life sentences for human trafficking, as well as 10-year terms for kidnapping. In a somber courtroom filled with local residents, Judge Erasmus remarked, “There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming or deserving of a lesser sentence.”
He made it clear that no distinction would be drawn between the defendants and a third accomplice, Van Rhyn, underscoring that all had shown “no remorse” during the trial. “Your conduct has left the Middelpos community fractured,” Erasmus said, acknowledging the broader social damage caused by the crime.
Trial highlights horrors of child exploitation
Held at a community venue in Saldanha to ensure transparency and public involvement, the trial featured emotional testimonies and disturbing forensic evidence. The courtroom erupted in applause as the sentences were read aloud—an expression of both relief and rage from a community reeling from the tragedy.
Despite the convictions, the case remains open, as Joshlin Smith’s whereabouts are still unknown. The child’s disappearance has triggered nationwide concern and international interest, with law enforcement widening the scope of their search.
Police vow to continue search beyond South Africa
Authorities insist that the investigation is far from over. Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile told local media, “We will not rest until we find out what happened to Joshlin. We are continuing day and night looking for her.”
The case has sparked renewed conversations about human trafficking in South Africa, particularly concerning the exploitation of children in ritualistic and criminal networks. For many, the sentencing represents a partial step toward justice, but the unanswered question of Joshlin’s fate continues to haunt the country.
As communities demand deeper protections for vulnerable children, the case has become a chilling symbol of the dangers posed by trafficking and the urgent need for systemic intervention.
