Mother Accused of Selling Daughter in Human Trafficking Plot.
The trial of Kelly Smith, the mother of missing six-year-old South African girl Joshlin Smith, has brought forth disturbing allegations of human trafficking. Joshlin disappeared in February 2024 near her home in Saldanha Bay, sparking a nationwide search. Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and friend Steveno van Rhyn, has pleaded not guilty to charges of human trafficking and kidnapping.
Prosecutors allege that Smith orchestrated her daughter’s disappearance, citing witness statements and claims of attempts to sell her children in the past. A key witness, Lourentia Lombaard, testified that Smith admitted to selling Joshlin to a traditional healer, or “sangoma,” motivated by financial desperation. Lombaard recounted seeing Smith pack Joshlin’s belongings before handing her over to a woman in a white car.
The case has exposed potential abuses within traditional healing practices, as the alleged buyer reportedly sought the child for her eyes and complexion. While South Africa legally recognizes sangomas under its Traditional Health Practitioners Act, cases of charlatans misusing these practices have tarnished their reputation. The charges against the alleged sangoma were dropped due to lack of evidence.
Smith has faced scrutiny for her calm demeanor during the search for her daughter and delaying her report to police. Additional testimony alleges she mentioned Joshlin being transported to West Africa. Defense counsel has criticized the charges as baseless and politically driven, promising a vigorous challenge in court.
The trial, ongoing in Saldanha, has reignited concerns about human trafficking and the protection of vulnerable children in South Africa. Proceedings are set to continue until March 28, with authorities aiming to uncover the truth behind this tragic case.
Source: BBC