missing child south africalatest 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

  • Umamah Bakharia
4 min read
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

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

Joslin Smith: State witness again falls ill during cross-examination drama

Judge Nathan Erasmus said this was not the first time Lorentia Lombaard became unwell ‘when it came to crunch time’

  • Des Erasmus
8 min read
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

  • Des Erasmus
5 min read