Mother Accused of Kidnapping and Trafficking 6-Year-Old Girl
A woman in South Africa, Kelly Smith, is on trial for allegedly kidnapping and selling her 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin, in a shocking human trafficking case that has gripped the nation. Smith, whose full name is Racquel Chantel Smith, faces charges alongside her partner, Jacquin Appollis, and a friend, Steveno van Rhyn.
Joshlin went missing in February 2024, and despite a nationwide search, she remains unfound. Initially gaining public sympathy, Smith claimed she left Joshlin with Appollis before her disappearance. However, police later arrested her after uncovering evidence suggesting she had been planning to sell Joshlin and her two other children since August 2023.
Prosecutors allege that Smith and Joshlin were seen entering a white vehicle with a bag of clothes on the day she vanished. A fourth suspect, a woman, was also arrested but is now expected to testify as a state witness. The trial, which began in Saldanha Bay, has drawn community outrage, with crowds gathering outside the courthouse, demanding justice and chanting, “We want Joshlin back.”
The case has sparked national discussions on child trafficking and parental betrayal, fueling concerns over vulnerable children in South Africa. If convicted, Smith, Appollis, and van Rhyn face life imprisonment for their alleged crimes.
Source: africanews