Joshlin Smith Disappearance: Alarming Details Emerge in Court Trial

Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old girl from South Africa, disappeared in February 2024, allegedly sought by a traditional healer for her eyes and fair skin. Her mother, Kelly Smith, along with two accomplices, faces charges of kidnapping and human trafficking but pleads not guilty. Testimonies reveal troubling details and possible motives for her disappearance as the trial continues.

The case of Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old South African girl who went missing in February 2024, has recently taken dramatic turns in court. Allegations have emerged that her mother, Kelly Smith, is responsible for orchestrating her disappearance. It has been claimed that a traditional healer sought Joshlin for her striking eyes and fair skin. Both Ms. Smith and her companions, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, are facing charges of human trafficking and kidnapping while pleading not guilty.

Joshlin’s disappearance created a nationwide uproar after she vanished from her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town. Despite extensive searches, her whereabouts remain unknown. Initially, Ms. Smith reported that Joshlin had gone missing while under the care of Mr. Appollis, but prosecutors later accused her of having either sold or relinquished her child. During the ongoing trial, significant details have emerged regarding the circumstances of Joshlin’s disappearance, including delays in reporting her missing.

Court testimonies reveal that Ms. Smith remained composed during the initial search while exhibiting greater concern for her boyfriend’s location than for her missing daughter. A local pastor testified that Ms. Smith had expressed willingness to sell her children, mentioning a specific figure as low as 275 dollars. Furthermore, in another shocking revelation, Joshlin’s teacher reported that Ms. Smith had declared her daughter was already aboard a ship bound for West Africa, when searched.

Witness Lourentia Lombaard, a former friend of Ms. Smith, provided critical testimony regarding the events surrounding Joshlin’s disappearance and alleged that Ms. Smith had admitted to selling her child to a sangoma, or traditional healer. Desperate for money, Ms. Smith reportedly indicated that compensation would be offered to those privy to her actions. Ms. Lombaard recounted seeing Ms. Smith preparing clothes for Joshlin and accompanying a woman, whom she suspected to be the sangoma, after placing them in a car.

Ms. Lombaard asserted that the individual involved sought Joshlin specifically for her eyes and skin, although the court did not clarify the reasons for such intentions. A traditional healer was initially implicated in the case but was released due to insufficient evidence. Registered under South African law, sangomas are respected practitioners, although some exploit these beliefs for malicious purposes.

Expressing deep remorse for her involvement, Ms. Lombaard pleaded for Joshlin’s safe return, stating she had previously made attempts to dissuade Ms. Smith from her plans. The trial is set to continue until March 28, with further developments anticipated.

The troubling case of Joshlin Smith involves serious allegations against her mother and associates, highlighting issues of human trafficking and the dark sides of cultural practices. As the trial unfolds, the heart-wrenching plea for the child’s safe return underscores the larger concerns surrounding the exploitation of vulnerable individuals. The community remains engaged in following this significant trial to seek justice for Joshlin.

Original Source: www.bbc.com