Share this @internewscast.com

A SICK mother who a court heard “sold her daughter for her eyes and skin” has been sentenced to life in prison.

Racquel “Kelly” Smith from South Africa, along with two accomplices, was imprisoned after being convicted of kidnapping and trafficking her own six-year-old daughter.

Photo of Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old girl who was kidnapped.
Kidnapped Joshlin Smith, 6, disappeared from her home town and was never seen againCredit: Facebook/Gayton McKenzie
Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith has been jailed after being found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her daughterCredit: AFP
Jacquen Appollis, left, Smith’s boyfriend, and Steveno van Rhyn, right, were also jailed for lifeCredit: AFP

The trial heard that the child, Joshlin Smith, was sold to a traditional healer for her body parts and never seen again.

Smith’s boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were also jailed.

A witness said Smith had spoken of selling her children for 20,000 rand (£850) each.

One witness stated that Smith intended to sell her daughter to a healer, known locally as a “sangoma,” who was interested in the child because of her striking green eyes and light skin.

Joshlin vanished from her outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, in February 2024.

Smith claimed she left her child with her boyfriend when she went missing.

A desperate, highly-publicised search followed, with a minister stepping in to offer a one-million-rand (£41,400) reward for her safe return.

The child’s image was broadcast around South Africa.

But Joshlin was never found, and suspicion turned onto her mother.

The trial verdict did not make any conclusions about what exactly had happened to Joshlin – only that the three had sold her.

Amber Alert issued for three children after they were ‘abducted’ by man who ‘stabbed’ their mom in Virginia Beach

Judge Nathan Erasmus, sentencing, said he “drew no distinction” between the twisted trio’s roles in the crime.

He sentenced each of them to life in prison on the human trafficking charge, and a concurrent 10 years on the kidnapping charge.

The depraved bunch showed no emotion as they learned their sentences outside the local community centre in Saldanha.

The sentencing on Thursday concluded a six-week trial that had a significant impact on South Africa. It was held in a sports center in the family’s hometown to allow community members to observe the proceedings.

Kelly Smith, mother of Joshlin Smith, in court.
Kelly Smith in court in back in March 2024Credit: Reuters
A grandmother wearing a shirt with a picture of her missing granddaughter sits in court.
Amanda Smith-Daniels, mother Kelly Smith and grandmother of JoshlinCredit: AFP

When Joshlin was first reported missing, there had been an outpouring of sympathy for Smith.

Community members rallied around her and helped with the police search.

But, during the trial, the court heard testimonies from more than 30 witnesses who painted a picture of the young girl’s troubled life.

The grim details of Joshlin’s alleged sale came from Lourentia Lombaard, a friend and neighbour of Smith.

A local pastor testified that in 2023 he had heard Smith – a mother of three – talk of selling her children for 20,000 rand (£850) each, but saying she would take a lower figure of around £200.

Joshlin’s teacher then testified that Smith told her during the search that her daughter was already “on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa”.

During sentencing hearings, Smith was described as manipulative and a teller of “bald-faced lies”.

A social worker tasked with compiling a report on the three traffickers said it would not be a “stretch to conclude that [Kelly] Smith is the mastermind behind the trafficking of her own daughter”.

Saldanha Bay is a fishing town 85 miles north of Cape Town.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Satellite image of Ingram Dam in Ingram, Texas before flash flooding.

Before-and-After Photos Highlight the Devastating Impact of Texas Floods and the Heartbreaking Closure of Camp Mystic

SATELLITE images snapped before and after the Texas floods reveal the complete…
Aerial view of a fenced-in facility in a desert landscape.

Israel Reveals Some Iranian Underground Uranium Reserves Withstood Trump’s Assault, Warns of Potential New Strikes

ISRAEL says some of Iran’s highly-enriched near weapons-grade uranium stockpile survived US…
UN warns of millions of AIDS deaths after US funding cuts

UN Alerts of Potential Millions of AIDS Deaths Following US Funding Reductions

The U.S. had committed $4 billion for the worldwide HIV initiative aimed…
Man busted with anti-government, anti-Trump documents after Texas ICE ambush suspect phone call, feds say

Federal Authorities Claim Texas ICE Ambush Suspect Found with Anti-Government and Anti-Trump Documents

A man accused of tampering with evidence related to the attack on…
Trump Wins Massive Payout From CBS Over Kamala Interview Scandal, Details of Settlement Humiliate Network

Trump Dismisses Iran’s Recent Threats, Shares Anecdote About His Last Sunbathing Experience

In a spontaneous press briefing at the White House, President Trump fielded…
Israel Coalition Against Houthis: Pressuring US for Yemen Strikes

Israel Coalition Advocates for US Intervention: Urging Strikes on Houthis in Yemen

Israel is urging the United States to resume military operations against Yemen’s…
Randy Couture, UFC Hall of Famer, hospitalized after racing crash

UFC Legend Randy Couture Hospitalized Following Racing Accident

The 62-year-old UFC Hall of Famer has been working to make his…
New Hampshire judge to hear arguments on class action against Trump’s birthright citizenship order

New Hampshire Court to Review Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Trump’s Order on Birthright Citizenship

A federal judge in New Hampshire is set to hear arguments on…
New interim Chicago Public Schools CEO Dr. Macquline King speaks in first 2 weeks on the job on $736 million CPS budget shortfall

Chicago Public Schools’ New Interim CEO Dr. Macquline King Addresses $736 Million Budget Deficit in Her First Two Weeks

CHICAGO (WLS) — Dr. Macquline King, with a history as a former…
Ford recalls 850K vehicles over fuel pump failure

Ford Issues Recall for 850,000 Vehicles Due to Fuel Pump Problems

Ford Motor is recalling over 850,000 vehicles in the USA due to…
Windy City Smokeout 2025: Start time, outside the United Center for things to do in Chicago

Your Guide to the Windy City Smokeout 2025: Events and Activities Near the United Center in Chicago

CHICAGO (WLS) — If you’re a fan of delicious mouth watering barbecue,…

Hakeem Jeffries discreetly removes Instagram photos following Photoshop mishaps with his waistline

A TOP Democrat has been blasted for posting what appear to be…