The Complex and Unsettling Case of Joselyn Smith: A Community in Distress
The disappearance of six-year-old Joselyn Smith from her home in Saldanha Bay, South Africa, has shaken the local community to its core.

As the investigation unfolds, new revelations continue to surface, with key figures in the case speaking out about their involvement, the police interrogation tactics, and the deep fractures within the community.

A Shocking Turn of Events
Joselyn Smith was reported missing on February 19, 2024, after being last seen playing outside her home.

What initially seemed like a tragic but typical case of a missing child quickly became something much darker as the investigation progressed.

Police were called to action immediately, and search teams scoured the area for any trace of the young girl.

Despite efforts by local authorities, the South African Navy, and volunteers, Joselyn remained unaccounted for, and the case took a sinister turn.

Within days of the disappearance, rumors began circulating that Joselyn’s mother, Kelly Smith, and her boyfriend, Jacquwin Apollus, might be involved in her disappearance.

While the community rallied together in support of the search, questions started to arise regarding the behavior of Joselyn’s mother, Kelly.

Some locals expressed concerns about Kelly’s lack of urgency in the search efforts, which led to suspicions of foul play.

The Arrests and Shocking Revelations

On March 7, 2024, nearly three weeks after Joselyn’s disappearance, the police made a series of arrests.

Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquwin Apollus, and two other individuals were taken into custody.

The police revealed that they had gathered evidence indicating that Joselyn had been trafficked.

It was alleged that Kelly had sold her daughter to a traditional healer (Sangoma) for 20,000 rand (approximately $1,000).

The prosecution further stated that Joselyn’s light skin and green eyes made her a target for ritualistic practices, including the desire for her body parts.

The discovery of a bloodstained pillowcase and bed sheets in Kelly’s home added to the mounting evidence against the accused.

The community’s outrage grew as people demanded justice, with many blaming Kelly for the tragic fate of her daughter.

However, amidst the anger and calls for answers, Kelly remained mostly silent, offering little to no explanation for her actions.

The Role of Lorentia Lombard

One of the most pivotal figures in the case has been Lorentia Lombard, who initially faced charges alongside Kelly and Jacquwin but later turned state witness.

Lombard testified that Kelly had sold Joselyn to the Sangoma, explaining that Kelly had been struggling financially and had resorted to selling her daughter to make ends meet.

Lombard’s testimony provided crucial details about the planning and execution of the trafficking scheme.

She explained that Kelly had spoken openly about the sale and how the child would be exchanged for money.

Lombard’s testimony also shed light on the role of the other accused, including Apollus and Fenrain, who were allegedly complicit in the plan to sell Joselyn.

However, Lombard’s testimony was not without controversy.

The defense attorneys for the accused tried to discredit her statements, arguing that she had given inconsistent accounts of events.

Lombard’s credibility was questioned in court, and her emotional breakdown during cross-examination raised concerns about the reliability of her testimony.

Despite these doubts, Lombard’s testimony was considered by the court to be a key piece of the puzzle.

Her detailed account of the events leading up to Joselyn’s disappearance helped establish a clearer picture of what happened, despite the lack of physical evidence and the absence of Joselyn’s body.

The Community’s Response
As the trial progressed, the community of Saldanha Bay became increasingly involved in the case.

The anger and frustration over Joselyn’s disappearance were palpable, and residents took to social media and organized protests demanding justice.

The local community was deeply affected by the case, with many expressing disbelief that a mother could betray her own child in such a horrific way.

The trial also attracted national attention, with the public becoming captivated by the details of the case.

Many people in South Africa rallied behind the search for Joselyn, hoping for a breakthrough.

However, the longer the investigation dragged on without results, the more the community became divided, with some rallying behind Kelly and her family, while others believed she was responsible for the crime.

In a particularly unsettling twist, Kelly’s behavior during the search efforts and throughout the trial came under scrutiny.

Community members reported that she seemed unfazed by her daughter’s disappearance, often showing little emotion and engaging in activities like socializing and attending public events, despite the grave situation at hand.

These actions fueled suspicions that Kelly was more involved in her daughter’s disappearance than she let on.

The Prosecution’s Case and Sentencing
In May 2025, the Western Cape High Court delivered its verdict.

Kelly Smith, Jacquwin Apollus, and Stefano Fenrain were convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking.

Despite the lack of direct evidence linking the accused to Joselyn’s physical whereabouts, the prosecution argued that the circumstantial evidence and witness testimony were enough to secure convictions.

Judge Nathan Arasmus sentenced all three to life imprisonment for the human trafficking charge, with an additional 10 years for kidnapping.

While the verdict brought some semblance of justice for Joselyn, the fact that her body had never been found left the community in limbo.

The court’s decision to convict the accused, despite the missing child, was based largely on the testimony of Lorentia Lombard and other corroborative evidence.

The sentencing of Kelly, Apollus, and Fenrain marked the end of the legal proceedings, but the case remains open as investigators continue to search for Joselyn’s body and work to uncover the full extent of the trafficking operation.

The Unanswered Question: Where is Joselyn?
Despite the convictions, the question that still haunts everyone involved is: Where is Joselyn Smith? The fact that her body has never been found leaves a cloud of uncertainty over the case.

The community, along with law enforcement, continues to hold out hope that Joselyn is still alive, though many fear the worst.

The investigation into human trafficking in the region has been a wake-up call for South Africa, a country grappling with one of the highest rates of child trafficking in the world.

The case of Joselyn Smith highlights the vulnerabilities children face in the country, particularly in underprivileged communities, where trafficking rings prey on vulnerable families.

Moving Forward: A Call for Change
Joselyn’s case serves as a grim reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting children.

The trial exposed deep systemic failures and questions about the handling of child protection cases in South Africa.

While the legal system delivered justice, the real work lies in preventing such tragedies from happening again.

Community engagement is crucial in combatting human trafficking, and this case has shown how collective efforts can bring attention to issues that might otherwise be ignored.

Moving forward, South Africa must focus on strengthening its child protection systems, ensuring that no child slips through the cracks, and addressing the root causes of trafficking, such as poverty and lack of education.

As for the Smith family, the wounds left by this case will take years to heal, if ever.

The absence of closure, coupled with the trauma of Joselyn’s disappearance, has left a lasting impact on everyone involved.

For Kelly, the road ahead will be shaped by the consequences of her actions and the weight of a life sentence for the trafficking and kidnapping of her own daughter.