Joshlin Smith mother cries when 2 witnesses tell court she’s a good parent
Kelly Smith is on trial along with her co-accused Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn. They are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with the child's disappearance.
Kelly Smith (right), Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn listen to testimony in the Western Cape High Court sitting at the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on 10 March 2025. Picture: Carlo Petersen/EWN
SALDHANHA BAY - The mother of missing little Joshlin Smith broke down in tears when two witnesses told the Western Cape High Court that she's a good parent.
Kelly Smith is on trial with her co-accused Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn.
They are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with the child's disappearance.
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They allegedly sold Joshlin to an unknown woman in February 2024 in Saldanha Bay.
On Monday, Judge Nathan Erasmus briefly adjourned proceedings after Kelly Smith became emotional during the testimonies of Natasha Andrews and Carlien Zeegers.
The two women, from the Middelpos area, claim to have close relations with Smith and a soft spot for her three children.
Smith started crying when Andrews told the court she was a good mother to her children.
Later, while Zeegers testified, Smith again became emotional after Zeegers said she doesn't know what happened to Joshlin, but that Smith raised her children well.
The trial continues on Tuesday in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in the Saldanha Bay multi-purpose centre.