child traffickinglatest news & developments
Children on the continent are trafficked, sexually exploited, forced into marriage, recruited into armed forces and made to beg.

Trafficking in Africa a threat to securing a continent fit for children

Children on the continent are trafficked, sexually exploited, forced into marriage, recruited into armed forces and made to beg

5 min read

Through interlaced fingers: Reading Medusa as a Father

When fiction mirrors fear, even the strongest reader flinches. Medusa is powerful, painful and unforgettable

  • Eyaaz
5 min read
Sergeant Dawid Fortuin was being cross-examined by attorney Nobahle Mkabayi, acting for accused two, Steveno van Rhyn

No standing order to record witness statements, court hears in Joslin Smith kidnapping trial

Sergeant Dawid Fortuin was being cross-examined by attorney Nobahle Mkabayi, acting for accused two, Steveno van Rhyn

  • Des Erasmus
4 min read
According to the SAPS Missing Persons Bureau data, an average of 1 697 children have been reported missing every year over a 10-year period, equating to about one report every five hours.

Where have your children gone, South Africa?

Of the more than 16 000 children who have been reported missing over 18 years, about 4 000 have never been found

  • Des Erasmus
10 min read
Lourentia “Rens” Lombaard, the accused-turned-state-witness.

Star witness continues to unravel on the stand in Joslin Smith trial

Lourentia Lombaard irks the judge with her ‘assumptions’, while Kelly Smith is again portrayed as a callous mother

  • Des Erasmus
6 min read
Lourentia Lombaard burst into tears while being questioned by the judge.

Joslin Smith: State’s star witness breaks down as judge questions inconsistencies

Judge Nathan Erasmus had earlier cautioned Lourentia Lombaard that her testimony would determine her credibility

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
Kelly Smith, the mother of Joslin Smith.

Joslin Smith was wanted by sangoma for her ‘eyes and skin’

State witness Lourentia Lombaard continued her testimony on Monday, sharing chilling details in the kidnapping and human trafficking trial

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read
Kelly Smith, mother of missing girl Joslin Smith, takes notes during the trial on Tuesday.

Kelly Smith told teacher Joslin was kidnapped by Nigerians

A ‘Nigerian man’ allegedly told Smith that the child was in a container, on a boat, heading for West Africa, the court heard

  • Des Erasmus
6 min read
The shack in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, where Joshlin lived with her mother Kelly and her three-year-old sister. (David Harrison/MG)

Charges dropped against one accused in Joshlin Smith case

The state says the matter is ready to be transferred to the high court

  • Umamah Bakharia
2 min read
Joshlin went missing from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on 19 February last year. (Executive mayor Andrè Truter/Facebook)

Joshlin Smith: Case of missing six-year-old to be tried in the high court

The case against the suspects in Joshlin’s disappearance, including her mother, has been held over to 16 September for further investigation

  • Umamah Bakharia
1 min read