Joshlin Smith's mother and 3 co-accused charged with kidnapping, human trafficking
Joshlin has been missing for 17 days after disappearing from her family home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, where she was left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend Jacquen Appollis.
Missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and along with two other suspects - Steveno Van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa - appeared before the Vredenburg Magistrates court on 7 March 2024, where they were all charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with the disappearance of Joshlin. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG – Missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith’s mother — Kelly Smith — has been charged with human trafficking and kidnapping in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Thursday.
Joshlin has been missing for 17 days after disappearing from her family home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, where she was left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend Jacquen Appollis.
Smith and Appollis along with two other suspects - Steveno Van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa - appeared in a packed courtroom where they were all charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with the disappearance of Joshlin.
Outside the court, hundreds of people gathered wielding placards in support of justice for the missing girl.
According to the police, the search for Joshlin has now intensified as new details about her possible whereabouts have emerged.
National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila says the State is still gathering evidence against the accused who have been remanded in custody.
“The investigation is still continuing, and it is at a sensitive stage. That’s what the prosecutor said…like I said more charges are likely to added and more suspects are likely to be added to the docket,” he explained.
The matter has been postponed to 13 March for the accused to make a bail application.