KEY POINTS
- Three criminals received conviction for abducting and trading Joshlin Smith.
- A judgment emerged from Judge Nathan Erasmus in Saldanha Bay.
- The court declared the three co-accused individuals responsible for kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin Smith.
Judge Nathan Erasmus issued a guilty sentence to the mother and two co-defendants responsible for kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin Smith exactly three months after his disappearance.
The trial shifted its location to White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville Saldanha Bay since the community showed profound interest and strong emotional connections with this important case.
Convicted were: Racquel “Kelly” Smith (33), Joshlin’s mother, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis (31), her boyfriend, Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn (27), a friend of the couple.
The authorities reported Joshlin missing on February 19, 2024 when she went missing from Middelpos in Saldanha Bay. Toward that time Appollis had responsibility for caring for the child. Under the guidance of Advocate Zelda Swanepoel the prosecutor filed charges at Section 4 of the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act against the defendants.
Mass satisfaction concerning the verdict
The court decided through Judge Erasmus that the State sustained its position beyond what reasonable people could doubt. Judge Erasmus’s verdict received loud cheers and enthusiastic applause from spectators filling the courtroom including residents and family members.
Erasmus confirmed his gratitude toward the community for their backing alongside their prayers and stated how the authorities helped by making possible the change in location. The case demonstrated important social worries about child protection and human trafficking according to the judge during his verdict.
The court convictions of Joshlin have not resulted in any knowledge about his present location.
Plea to reveal the whereabouts of Joshlin Smith
The verdict of the court left Rita Yon the paternal grandmother of Joshlin feeling divided. The verdict made her feel happy yet she strongly misses her grandson Joshlin. The location of Joshlin remains unknown to us because Kelly refuses to disclose it. That is heartbreaking for me.”
People of Saldanha Bay experienced relief from the court decisions yet felt deep sadness because Joshlin remained missing. South African residents believe the case shows a worsening threat to both children and women in the country.
Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile continues to pursue the active investigation. Police investigations reached the United Kingdom to search a ship for three continuous days in favor of locating Joshlin. Patekile expressed the hope for reaching a conclusion. “The case is not closed.”
Rumors in Joshlin Smith case addressed by police
The police official openly addressed rumors about Joshlin being transferred to a traditional healer known as a sangoma. Alongside continuous investigation of all possible leads Patekile confirmed the information was not verified by authorities. Investigators lost important information about the case when Kelly Smith declined to share her perspective during trial proceedings.
Patekile announced through his statement that they maintained control of the female individual. “We will continue to investigate. The investigators must establish critical details because they need to know who Joshlin is along with his current location and what exact situation he faces.
Celeste Louw of the Tears Foundation used the case to demonstrate that children lack sufficient protection from the current system.
This specific case reveals the extent to which the trafficking and systemic failure affect every child under state protection according to Louw. Poverty serves as the main contributing factor in the situation. What are we doing about it?”
The ongoing legal process fails to answer the primary question which troubles both the grieving Smith family and Waterbury community about Joshlin’s whereabouts.
