There's enough evidence to show that Joshlin Smith may have been harmed after being sold, court hears

SALDANHA BAY - A human trafficking expert said that there's enough evidence to show that Joshlin Smith may have been harmed after being sold for financial gain.
 
The missing girl's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are set to be sentenced this week after being guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking.
 
Sentencing proceedings commenced on Tuesday in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multipurpose Centre.

ALSO READ: Joshlin Smith trial: Human trafficking on the rise in SA, justice system lagging - expert
 
Defence attorney Nobahle Mkabayi, who represents accused number two, Van Rhyn, questioned State witness Doctor Marcel van der Watt about a report he compiled on human trafficking.
 
Van der Watt, who has 20 years experience in combating human trafficking as a police officer and researcher, compiled the report to assist the court in reaching an appropriate sentence for the accused.
 
Mkabayi asked Van der Watt why he said that Joshlin could have been harmed.
 
He replied, saying that there was enough information about what happens to human trafficking victims.
 
"Well-documented and coherent and consistent themes and patterns in terms of the egregious harms that befall victims of trafficking, especially when we're talking about young girl children, the age of Joshlin."
 
Lawyers for Kelly Smith and Appollis opted not to question Van der Watt.
 
A social worker, who was the probation officer for the accused, is testifying about the reports he compiled after their arrests.