Three individuals convicted of kidnapping and trafficking six-year-old Joshlin Smith have been sentenced to life imprisonment, marking a decisive moment in a harrowing case that has gripped the nation. However, police have made it clear that their work is far from over. The search for the missing child will continue, with law enforcement vowing to pursue every possible lead.
The Western Cape High Court on Thursday handed life sentences for human trafficking to Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her partner Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and a family acquaintance, Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn. They were each also sentenced to an additional ten years’ imprisonment for kidnapping.
The convictions stem from Joshlin’s disappearance on 19 February 2024, from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay. During the trial, evidence revealed that the little girl had allegedly been sold for R20,000.
“They were given a chance to say something, anything that could have helped us find her, but they said nothing. Kelly didn’t even shed a tear. If they wanted to help, they would have. That chance is gone, and now we just hope one day we will find her,”
said Natasha Andrews, Joshlin’s godmother.
A Family Torn Apart
Joshlin lived with Andrews’ family, who cared for her as their own. The silence from the convicted trio during sentencing has only deepened the trauma for those who loved her.
“She was our baby daughter. She lived with us, ate, and went on holidays with us, we did everything for her,”
Andrews shared, her voice still marked by disbelief and pain.
Although the accused chose not to testify in their own defence during the trial, they have since indicated their intention to appeal the convictions. For many, including members of Joshlin’s extended family, this legal avenue reopens old wounds and prolongs uncertainty.
After the sentencing, Andrews visited Kelly in custody.
“She was sobbing, but at the end of the day, we still do not have answers. I remain hopeful that Joshlin will be found. We are not going to give up. Kelly accepted me into her life and into Joshlin’s life. I’ll never stop visiting her until we have an answer,”
Andrews said.
Law Enforcement Stands Firm
Western Cape provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, praised the dedication of the officers, detectives, and specialists involved in the case.
“Your dedication reflects the very best of our nation’s law enforcement and brings hope to families still waiting for justice,”
he said in a statement from Saldanha, where the proceedings took place.
“Our thoughts remain with the family of Joshlin Smith. May they find some comfort in knowing that justice has prevailed,”
he added.
Despite the convictions, police have underscored that the search for Joshlin is not over.
“SAPS remains fully committed to exploring every possible lead in the pursuit of real closure in this tragic matter,”
the statement read.
A Divided Family and a Community in Mourning
The impact of the case has reverberated through Joshlin’s family, with relatives responding with a mixture of sorrow, frustration, and a yearning for truth.
Her paternal grandmother, Louretta Yon, expressed anger and disbelief at Kelly’s actions.
“What Kelly did was harsh. Maybe one day she will tell the truth about what happened to Joshlin. I don’t want to say anything to Kelly now,”
she said.
Even Kelly’s own mother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, acknowledged the gravity of the sentence, recognising the painful reality her daughter now faces.
“She did the crime, and the law must take its course. It’s not nice that my child has to spend her life in jail, but she did something wrong and must deal with the consequences,”
she said.
Still No Trace of Joshlin
Although the judicial outcome has offered a measure of justice, it has not brought closure. Joshlin remains missing, with no trace of her found since the day she disappeared. The reality that her fate is still unknown hangs heavily over all involved.
In the absence of her voice, it is the voices of those left behind—family, law enforcement, and community members—that now call out with a united plea: to keep searching, to keep hoping, and to never forget Joshlin Smith.
Authorities maintain their commitment to the case, with the South African Police Service affirming that the investigation remains open. For many, the hope that one day Joshlin will be found persists, however faint it may seem.
