SALDANHA BAY – A collective gasp of disbelief swept through the crowded courtroom this morning as a mother, accused of the unthinkable, appeared to share a joke with her co-accused boyfriend just moments after prosecutors detailed the grim fate of her missing six-year-old daughter.
In a case that has paralyzed the local community with horror and grief, new testimony suggests that six-year-old Joshlin Smith was not merely lost or kidnapped by a stranger, but was allegedly sold by the very woman charged with protecting her.
Kelly Smith, the child’s mother, appeared in court alongside her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and a third accused, Steveno van Rhyn. While the gallery was filled with tearful community members and anxious relatives wearing “Justice for Joshlin” t-shirts, the demeanor of the accused has sparked outrage across the globe.
Video footage from the proceedings captured a chilling interaction: Appollis kissing Kelly Smith’s hand, followed by the two sharing stifled laughter. This display of casual affection occurred as the state laid out a narrative of greed, betrayal, and unspeakable darkness.
The Price of a Child: $1,000 for “Eyes and Skin”
The details emerging from the investigation paint a nightmarish scenario. According to startling testimony presented to the court, Kelly Smith is accused of trafficking her daughter to a local “witch doctor” for use in traditional medicine rituals, often referred to as “muti.”
A local pastor, whose identity has been protected for safety reasons, testified that he overheard Smith discussing the transaction. The chilling figure placed on the little girl’s life? 20,000 Rand (approximately $1,100 USD).
However, the testimony grew even more disturbing. The court heard that Smith was reportedly desperate enough for the money that she was willing to accept a negotiated lower figure—a mere 275 USD—if the buyer could not produce the full amount immediately.
The alleged purpose of the sale is gruesome. Prosecutors indicated that the child was sold specifically for her “eyes and skin,” a terrifying detail that aligns with dark, superstitious practices where body parts are harvested for “strength” potions.
Timeline of a Tragedy
The disappearance of Joshlin Smith on February 19 sparked one of the largest search operations in the region’s history. However, police say the timeline of events raises immediate red flags regarding the mother’s involvement.
According to police reports, Joshlin was last seen wearing a light blue t-shirt and denim shorts. While Smith claimed she left the child in the care of her boyfriend while she went to work, inconsistencies began to fracture her story almost immediately.
The Six-Hour Gap Perhaps the most damning evidence presented regarding the timeline is the delay in reporting. Authorities confirmed that Kelly Smith waited more than six hours after noticing her daughter was gone before she finally contacted the police.
In those critical hours—the “golden window” where recovery of a missing child is most likely—police believe evidence was being destroyed and plans were being solidified.
During the initial frantic search, as neighbors combed through bushes and divers searched the sewers, witnesses described Smith’s behavior as “oddly calm.” While the community was in a state of panic, screaming Joshlin’s name into the night, the mother reportedly seemed more concerned about the whereabouts of her boyfriend than the location of her six-year-old child.
Witnesses Describe a “Black Bag”
As the investigation intensified, new witnesses came forward with harrowing accounts of the day Joshlin vanished. One neighbor provided a statement that has become a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case.
The witness told the court that shortly before the alarm was raised, she observed Kelly Smith packing children’s clothing into a large black bag. Smith was then seen leaving the premises to meet with a woman, who is now believed by investigators to be the intermediary or the “witch doctor” mentioned in earlier testimonies.
This account aligns with the theory that the child was not taken by force from the street, but was handed over willingly in a pre-arranged transaction.
Charges of Human Trafficking
Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn are currently facing grave charges, including human trafficking and kidnapping. Despite the mountain of circumstantial evidence and witness testimony, all three have pleaded not guilty.
Their defense team argues that the confessions and statements were coerced or misunderstood, but the state remains firm, citing the corroborating accounts of the pastor and the neighbors.
The behavior of the accused inside the dock has done little to help their public image. The laughter captured on camera—described by one courtroom observer as “the sound of pure evil”—has gone viral, igniting a firestorm of anger on social media.
“How can you laugh when your child is missing? How can you smile when they are talking about selling your baby?” asked a community leader outside the courthouse, where hundreds had gathered to protest. “This is not the behavior of a grieving mother. This is the behavior of someone who knows exactly where Joshlin is.”
A Community Shattered
The impact of this case has rippled far beyond the walls of the courtroom. The tight-knit community of Saldanha Bay is reeling. For weeks, residents have paused their lives to search for Joshlin. They have marched, prayed, and held vigils.
The revelation that the danger may have come from inside the home has left neighbors feeling betrayed and vulnerable.
“We were looking for a monster hiding in the bushes,” said one neighbor, wiping away tears. “We didn’t know the monster was sleeping in the bed next to her.”
Police have had to deploy extra units to the courthouse during hearings to prevent angry crowds from taking matters into their own hands. The rage is palpable. There have been calls for the reinstatement of the dth penalty, a sentiment that reflects the sheer horror of the crimes alleged.
The Search for Truth Continues
As of this hour, Joshlin Smith remains missing. While prosecutors build their case for trafficking and mrder, the primary goal of the police remains locating the child—or her remains.
Investigators act on the grim possibility that she is already dd. Forensic teams have expanded their search radius based on new intelligence, scouring remote areas and abandoned structures where the “handover” may have taken place.
The court has adjourned until the next hearing, leaving a community in limbo. The image of a mother laughing while facing charges of selling her own flesh and blood remains burned into the minds of everyone who witnessed it.
Authorities are urging anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. “We are not stopping,” a police spokesperson declared. “We will find the truth, and we will ensure that those responsible for this evil face the full might of the law.”
6. HUMAN IMPACT & WARNING
This case serves as a terrifying reminder of the hidden dangers children can face within their own homes. Experts warn that cases of familial trafficking are often the hardest to detect because the perpetrators are the very people society trusts to be protectors.
If you suspect a child is in danger or see signs of trafficking, contact local law enforcement immediately. Your call could save a life.