Social media influencer to testify about Joshlin Smith's mother's behaviour after disappearance
Social media influencer Shakirah Ganief on Wednesday told the court about how Kelly Smith became rude when she questioned her about one of the accused Jacquen Appollis.
Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith (right), Jacquen Appollis, and Stevano van Rhyn in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre, on 12 March 2025. Picture: Carlo Petersen/EWN
CAPE TOWN - A social media influencer who testified about Kelly Smith's behaviour after her daughter Joshlin went missing is set to be cross-examined on Thursday.
Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Stevano van Rhyn are charged for allegedly selling Joshlin to an unknown woman.
The accused are on trial for kidnapping and human trafficking in the Western Cape High Court sitting at the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre.
On Wednesday, social media influencer Shakirah Ganief told the court how Kelly Smith became rude when she questioned her about Appollis.
Ganief told the court she had various altercations with Smith in Saldanha Bay, after joining the search for Joshlin.
She said she became even more suspicious after she didn't see Smith and Appollis during any of the searches for Joshlin.
Ganief said during one altercation Smith told her to stop looking for Joshlin, and let the police do their work.
She said she also was shocked when Kelly told her Joshlin's disappearance had brought her fame.