As the trial of Kelly Smith and her co-accused, Jaquina Apollus and Stavina Fenrain, continues, a wave of intense emotions and disturbing revelations has unfolded in the Western Cape High Court.
On the 2nd of May 2025, the court found Kelly Smith guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with the disappearance of her 6-year-old daughter, Joshyn Smith.
The verdict, however, does little to ease the pain of the father, Joshyn’s biological father, who continues to grapple with the harsh reality of his daughter’s disappearance.
In a heartbreaking moment during the trial, Joshyn’s father shared his thoughts on the outcome of the trial and the emotional toll the events had taken on him.
“It made me sad, really,” he said, his voice tinged with pain.
“She has not said a word about what happened to my child, not even to explain what happened. And now, she’s sentenced to life in prison. I need to know where my daughter is. My child is missing.”
The father’s anguish is palpable, as he reflects on the events that have led to this moment.
He recounts how his daughter, Joshyn, went missing after being entrusted to Kelly’s boyfriend, Jaquina Apollus, on February 19, 2024.
The timeline of Joshyn’s disappearance paints a tragic picture: she was last seen playing outside in her light blue t-shirt and denim shorts, only to vanish without a trace shortly after Kelly’s return.
The Disappearance and Investigation:
Joshyn’s disappearance set off a frantic search in the Salana Bay community.
Residents, police, and the South African Navy worked tirelessly, searching for Joshyn, who had been reported missing on February 19.
The police investigation was supported by local efforts, but tensions in the community began to rise as suspicions about Kelly and her boyfriend’s involvement grew.
On February 27, 2024, Kelly appeared in a now-deleted Facebook Live interview with Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie.
During the interview, she discussed the reward for information on Joshyn’s whereabouts, but the interview took a darker turn when Kelly’s sister, Michaela Daniels, testified in court that Kelly had confided in her about plans to sell her child.
This shocking revelation would become a cornerstone of the trial.
On March 5, 2024, Kelly, Apollus, and Fenrain were arrested in connection with the kidnapping and human trafficking of Joshyn.
In the days following their arrest, confessions from Apollus and Fenrain detailed their involvement in the plot.
The two accused revealed that Kelly had been involved in arranging the sale of her daughter for R20,000 to a traditional healer.
The confessions would later play a critical role in the prosecution’s case.
The Role of Lorentia Lombard:
Lorentia Lombard, a neighbor of Kelly’s, became a state witness after being arrested for her involvement in the case.
Lombard’s testimony brought further clarity to the events leading up to Joshyn’s abduction.
She recalled Kelly’s discussion about selling her child and provided a detailed account of the moments when Joshyn was placed in the back of a white VW Polo, which drove off with a woman identified as the buyer.
Lombard’s testimony would later prove crucial in understanding the depths of Kelly’s actions.
Lombard confirmed that Kelly had been motivated by financial struggles and that the plan to sell Joshyn had been in motion long before the abduction.
Despite her initial lies to the police, Lombard later came clean, admitting that she had withheld information out of fear and under the influence of drugs at the time.
The Emotional Testimonies and Struggles of the Family:
Throughout the trial, testimonies revealed the emotional toll of Joshyn’s disappearance on her family.
Detective Sergeant Mayor Milstein testified about his interactions with Kelly and Jaquina, noting that neither of them displayed any emotion during their interviews.
Their lack of remorse raised further suspicions about their involvement in the crime.
Another significant witness was Nico Steven Kia, an evangelist who had known Kelly from their hometown.
Kia testified that Kelly had confided in him about her plans to sell her children months before Joshyn’s disappearance.
This revelation added weight to the suspicion that Kelly had been involved in human trafficking long before this case.
Despite the weight of the evidence against Kelly, the trial continued with conflicting testimonies and emotional outbursts.
The defense attempted to discredit the testimony of the state witnesses, particularly Lombard, who had admitted to lying to the police initially.
The defense team’s attempts to undermine the credibility of the witnesses were met with resistance from the prosecution, who argued that the testimonies and confessions were truthful and consistent.
A Father’s Heartbreak and the Legal Battle:
Joshyn’s father expressed his heartbreak and frustration over the entire case.
“I still don’t know where my child is,” he said, tears in his eyes.
“I want to know where she is. I want answers. It’s a nightmare that won’t end.” The father’s emotional turmoil is compounded by the fact that his daughter remains missing.
Despite the guilty verdicts, the whereabouts of Joshyn remain unknown, and the pain of not knowing her fate continues to haunt him.
The case has sparked anger in the community, with some taking justice into their own hands.
Kelly Smith’s shack was set on fire by members of the public who demanded answers about Joshyn’s disappearance.
This act of mob justice, however, raises concerns about the consequences of vigilante actions.
In the digital age, videos and photos of such incidents can quickly spread, leading to potential legal consequences for those involved.
As the case progresses, the focus remains on the ongoing search for Joshyn and the legal proceedings against the accused.
The public has voiced its anger and frustration, but the legal system remains the proper channel for justice.
Mob justice and vigilante actions only serve to complicate an already tense situation.
Sentencing and the Fate of the Accused:
With the conviction of Kelly Smith, Jaquina Apollus, and Stavina Fenrain, the court will now turn its attention to sentencing.
The defense has already indicated that they will appeal the verdict, but the public’s appetite for justice remains high.
The court will consider various factors during sentencing, including the criminal history of the accused and their behavior during the trial.
Stephen Rain, one of the accused, has a long history of criminal activity, including multiple convictions for robbery, theft, and possession of drugs.
His criminal past will play a significant role in the sentencing phase.
The court will also consider the lack of remorse shown by the accused during the trial, which could influence the severity of their sentences.
The Ongoing Search for Joshyn:
Despite the convictions, the case is far from closed.
Joshyn’s disappearance remains the central tragedy of this story.
The police continue to investigate, following up on leads both in South Africa and internationally.
The community’s frustration is palpable, and the pain of not knowing Joshyn’s whereabouts continues to linger.
The NPA’s lack of action and the absence of answers have left many wondering if true justice can ever be achieved until the missing child is found.
The ongoing investigation, coupled with the guilty verdicts, ensures that this case will not be forgotten.
While the legal system has taken its course, the real resolution will only come when Joshyn is found, and the full truth of what happened to her is uncovered
