**The conviction comes over a year after six-year-old Joshlin Smith went missing, prompting widespread concern and a high-profile search.**
**South African Mother Found Guilty in Daughter's Kidnapping Case**
**South African Mother Found Guilty in Daughter's Kidnapping Case**
**Kelly Smith convicted alongside accomplices in a case that shocked the nation**
In a dramatic conclusion to a disturbing case, a South African mother, Kelly Smith, was convicted of kidnapping and trafficking her daughter, Joshlin, who vanished over a year ago at the age of six. Along with Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their associate Steveno van Rhyn were also found guilty of the charges, while all three had previously maintained their innocence.
Joshlin went missing from her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, in February of last year, triggering an extensive search and public outcry. Smith's guilty verdict was delivered in a packed courtroom, where emotions ran high; while she was seen tearfully reacting to the ruling, van Rhyn exhibited a stark contrast by appearing to smile.
Amid the trial proceedings, which took place in March at the local Multipurpose Centre due to public interest, several shocking testimonies emerged. A crucial witness, Lourentia Lombaard, claimed that Smith had confessed to her about selling Joshlin to a traditional healer, known locally as a "sangoma," purportedly for her eyes and skin.
Further allegations surfaced through a local pastor, who testified that Smith was willing to sell her children at a price of 20,000 rand ($1,100) each, though she expressed a readiness to accept a lower amount. In a disturbing claim, Joshlin's teacher recounted Smith suggesting that her daughter had already been shipped away to West Africa.
Despite the serious nature of these allegations, Smith's defense attorney cast doubt on the credibility of the witnesses, pointing to inconsistencies in their testimonies and arguing that they were pursuing personal gain.
The traditional healer practice, while recognized in South Africa, has been marred by instances of exploitation, complicating the cultural backdrop against which this tragic case unfolds. The fate of young Joshlin remains unknown as the community grapples with the implications of this heartbreaking narrative.
