Mother on Trial for Alleged Kidnapping and Human Trafficking of Six-Year-Old Daughter in South Africa
Image credits: Reuters
The trial of Kelly Smith, the mother of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who disappeared over a year ago in Saldanha Bay, South Africa, has begun with Smith and her two co-accused, Jacquin Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, pleading not guilty to charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. The case has sent shockwaves across South Africa, with many residents of Saldanha Bay attending the trial, which is being held in a multipurpose centre that has been converted into a high court. The prosecution alleges that Smith had been planning to sell Joshlin and her two other children since August 2023, and that she was handed something by an unknown woman in a white vehicle on the day before Joshlin's disappearance.
The disappearance of Joshlin Smith in February 2024 sparked a nationwide search, with many residents of Saldanha Bay joining in the efforts to find the young girl. The case also attracted the attention of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who offered a reward of one million rand for Joshlin's safe return. However, despite the extensive search efforts, Joshlin remains missing, and the trial of her mother and co-accused has raised many questions about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The prosecution claims that Smith and her co-accused discussed how to split the money they allegedly received for Joshlin, and that they were seen getting into a white vehicle with a bag of clothes on the day of her disappearance.
The trial, which is expected to run from 3-28 March, has been moved to the Saldanha multipurpose centre to ensure that the community has access to the proceedings. Judge Nathan Erasmus, who is presiding over the case, has warned the accused that they could face life imprisonment if found guilty. The case has provoked anger in the community, with many residents calling for Smith to reveal the whereabouts of her daughter. The prosecution's case relies heavily on the testimony of a state witness, who is expected to provide crucial evidence in the trial. The investigation into Joshlin's disappearance has been ongoing for over a year, and the trial is seen as a crucial step towards uncovering the truth about what happened to the young girl.
Here are the key points in the timeline of events: * August 2023: Kelly Smith allegedly begins planning to sell her children * February 2024: Joshlin Smith disappears from outside her home in Saldanha Bay * February 2024: Kelly Smith reports Joshlin's disappearance to the police * March 2024: Protests are held outside the magistrates court in Vredenburg, Saldanha Bay, during a pre-trial hearing for the three defendants * March 2025: The trial of Kelly Smith and her co-accused begins in the Saldanha multipurpose centre * March 2025: The prosecution presents its case against the accused, alleging that they were involved in a plan to kidnap and sell Joshlin. The trial is expected to continue, with the prosecution presenting further evidence and the defense responding to the allegations.
The case has raised concerns about the safety and well-being of children in South Africa, and the need for greater awareness and action to prevent child trafficking and other forms of exploitation. The trial of Kelly Smith and her co-accused is seen as an important step towards addressing these concerns and ensuring that those responsible for Joshlin's disappearance are held accountable. As the trial continues, the community remains hopeful that the truth about what happened to Joshlin will be revealed, and that justice will be served.
smith joshlin trial kidnapp traffick saldanha joslin africa bay kelly
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