Kelly Smith, the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, has denied claims that she neglected her eldest child due to drug abuse before Joshlin’s birth.
Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and his friend Stevano van Rhyn, stands accused of kidnapping and human trafficking after allegedly selling Joshlin to an unknown woman in February 2024.
The case is being heard in the Western Cape High Court, which is temporarily sitting at the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre.
Defence Challenges Social Worker’s Testimony
During court proceedings on Wednesday, defence attorney Rinesh Sivnarain cross-examined State witness, social worker Siliziwe Mbambo, regarding her claims that Smith had neglected her eldest child before Joshlin was born.
Sivnarain, representing Kelly Smith, challenged the validity of Mbambo’s testimony, arguing that the information presented was not factual.
“The claim that my client neglected her eldest child prior to Joshlin’s birth is not true,” Sivnarain said.
Mbambo responded, explaining that her information came from social worker files compiled before she became involved in the case.
“The records I accessed were from previous social workers. I was not personally involved at the time, but the information was documented in official case files,” she told the court.
Smith’s Defence Claims She Sought Help from Social Services
Sivnarain argued that far from neglecting her child, Smith had actively sought assistance from social services. He told the court that in 2018, Smith approached social workers because she was homeless and needed shelter and support for herself and her child.
“Kelly Smith did not abandon her child. She was struggling with homelessness and reached out to social services for assistance,” he stated.
Mbambo confirmed that, according to case files, Smith’s grandmother had stepped in to take care of the child. Meanwhile, Smith was placed in a shelter in Vredenburg.
The Heartbreaking Disappearance of Joshlin Smith
Joshlin Smith was reported missing in February 2024 from her home in Saldanha Bay, triggering a massive police search and widespread public concern.
The investigation took a shocking turn when Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, and Stevano van Rhyn were arrested. Authorities accused them of selling the child to an unknown woman, an allegation that sent shockwaves across the country.
The case has drawn nationwide attention, with activists and community members demanding justice for Joshlin.
State’s Case Against Smith and Her Co-Accused
The State alleges that Smith, Appollis, and Van Rhyn conspired to sell Joshlin in what police believe is a human trafficking case.
Prosecutors argue that Smith’s drug use and financial struggles played a role in her decision to give up her daughter.
However, Smith and her co-accused have denied the allegations, maintaining their innocence.
Public Outrage and Calls for Justice
Joshlin’s disappearance has sparked outrage, with many in the community calling for harsher penalties for crimes involving children.
Social media has been flooded with messages demanding answers, with some users criticizing the legal system’s slow progress in finding Joshlin.
One community leader said:
“A child cannot simply disappear without a trace. We want answers, and we want justice.”
What’s Next in the Trial?
With the defence and prosecution presenting conflicting narratives, the court will now have to evaluate the evidence to determine whether Smith and her co-accused are guilty.
The trial continues, with more witnesses expected to testify in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Joshlin remains missing, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
