child trafficking caselatest news & developments
Kelly Smith, the mother of Joslin Smith.

State seeks life sentence for accused in Joslin Smith kidnapping

A human expert trafficking testified in aggravation of sentence on Tuesday, saying the sale of the child was premeditated and there was plenty of time to stop it

Joshlin Smith, of, Saldanha Bay, has been missing since 19 February 2024. Image: Sourced

Joslin Smith: Defence accuses cop of trying to exploit accused’s weaknesses to gain confession

Sergeant Dawid Fortuin took advantage of Steveno van Rhyn’s ‘youth and vulnerability’, according to attorney Nobahle Mkabayi

Brigadier Leon Hanana during cross-examination on Wednesday

Another senior officer denies torture allegations in Joslin Smith kidnapping trial

Brigadier Leon Hanana told the court he had not personally interviewed the suspects and had received no reports of misconduct

Judge Nathan Erasmus.

Judge condemns cyberbullying as Joslin Smith kidnapping trial enters fifth week

Judge Nathan Erasmus said online harassment threatened trust in South Africa’s justice system and caused ‘suspicion’

Kelly Smith takes notes during the kidnapping and human trafficking trial on Thursday.

‘You fucking dog!’ Kelly Smith feels wrath of community during in-loco inspection

Angry residents of Middelpos informal settlement heckled and swore at the mother of missing child Joslin Smith

Judge Nathan Erasmus on Thursday sentenced Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Kelly Smith, convicted earlier this month of kidnapping and trafficking Joslin Smith, to 10 years in prison for the former, and life imprisonment for the latter.(Screenshot of trial proceedings)

Attorney for mother of Joslin Smith challenges police credibility during trial

A second police witness on Tuesday told the court that Kelly Smith’s partner was uncooperative when questioned