In a chilling case that gripped the nation, a South African mother, her boyfriend, and another man have each been sentenced to life in prison for human trafficking and an additional 10 years for kidnapping six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who vanished from her home in February 2024 and remains missing.
Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn, all of whom were found guilty of orchestrating the child’s disappearance and trafficking her to unknown parties, all got life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Despite the absence of a body, the court handed down maximum sentences based on overwhelming witness testimony that revealed a disturbing pattern of premeditation and intent.
A Crime That Shocked the Nation
Joshlin’s disappearance from her home in Saldanha Bay, a coastal town on South Africa’s western seaboard, sparked a national outcry and an extensive search effort.
But what emerged during trial proceedings was far more horrifying: allegations that Smith planned to sell her children for financial gain.
According to People Magazine, a local pastor testified that Smith had openly discussed selling her children for about $1,100. Another witness claimed Smith said she had sold Joshlin to a traditional healer, allegedly for her “eyes and skin.”
A Courtroom Filled with Tension
The atmosphere inside the courtroom was electric as Judge Nathan Erasmus delivered the life sentences. The public gallery reacted with gasps, applause, and quiet gestures of relief—many mouthing, “Finally.”
Judge Erasmus said none of the defendants had shown any remorse or accountability for their actions.
“There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming or deserving of a lesser sentence,” he said firmly.
South African law permits a life sentence for human trafficking even in the absence of a recovered body, so long as intent and planning can be proven—something the prosecution said was clearly demonstrated through multiple witness testimonies.
A Family Still Waiting for Closure
Joshlin’s grandmother, whose heartbreak has become symbolic of the community’s grief, said after sentencing, “No sentence will bring my grandchild back.”
Authorities say the search for Joshlin continues, including efforts beyond South African borders.
This case has once again highlighted the dangers of child trafficking and the vulnerabilities children face in impoverished and addiction-affected communities.
