Joshlyn Smith’s Kidnapping and Human Trafficking Case: A Moment of Justice
In a deeply emotional courtroom session, the three accused in the case surrounding the kidnapping and human trafficking of six-year-old Joshlyn Smith were sentenced to significant prison terms.

The case, which has rocked the community and the nation, has drawn attention not only for the horrific crime itself but for the pain and anguish of the victims, both the child and her family.

The verdict, handed down in late May 2025, has been met with mixed emotions: satisfaction with the guilty verdict, but also an unrelenting desire to find the missing child, Joshlyn.

The Accused and Their Sentences
Kelly Smith, the mother of the missing child, along with her boyfriend, Jacken Apollis, and their friend, Stefano van Rain, were all convicted on charges related to Joshlyn’s kidnapping and human trafficking.

Judge Nathan Erasmus, who presided over the case, sentenced each of them to life imprisonment on the human trafficking charge, while on the kidnapping charge, they received an additional 10 years.

However, because the sentences are to be served concurrently, the total time in prison remains life for each defendant.

The sentencing followed weeks of gripping testimony, which included harrowing accounts of Joshlyn’s alleged exploitation.

As the court heard, the child’s disappearance was not an isolated event, but part of a more extensive and chilling plan that ultimately led to her sale, allegedly to an unknown buyer for 20,000 Rand.

The case painted a deeply disturbing portrait of a mother’s betrayal, with evidence suggesting that Kelly Smith had willingly participated in her daughter’s trafficking, driven by financial motivations.

The Impact on the Smith Family
Joshlyn’s father, though not directly involved in the trial, spoke out about the impact of the case on his family.

His words, full of grief and anguish, revealed the complex emotions that have overwhelmed him over the past year.

He expressed sorrow not only for the loss of his daughter but also for Kelly Smith, who has now been sentenced to spend the rest of her life in prison.

While he acknowledged that Kelly’s actions were unforgivable, he expressed his hope that justice would ultimately bring closure to the family.

“I feel sorry for Kelly,” he said in his statement.

“But she did something wrong, and she must deal with the consequences.”
Despite the legal victory, the emotional toll on Joshlyn’s family remains profound.

The victim’s family and the broader community have continued to search for Joshlyn, determined to find out the truth of what happened to the young girl.

Even with the sentencing of the three accused, the search for Joshlyn persists, as her father and others in the community keep hoping for answers.

The Community’s Reaction
The case has sent ripples through the community of Middle Po, where Joshlyn lived.

Community members have expressed both relief and frustration at the trial’s outcome.

While they are pleased that justice has been served for the accused, the community continues to demand answers regarding Joshlyn’s disappearance.

The pain of losing a child under such circumstances has made it even more difficult for the community to come to terms with what happened.

“We will not rest until we find out what happened to Joshlyn,” her father said in an emotional statement.

“We are continuing day and night looking for her and appealing to everyone to work together to find this missing child.”
Despite the conviction, the community remains on edge, fearful that there may still be unanswered questions.

The heartache of parents and loved ones who have lost children to similar fates is evident.

The desire for justice extends beyond this case, as the community continues to rally for the return of missing children across the nation.

Victim Impact Statements and the Emotional Toll
As the court proceedings continued, the victim impact statements provided a window into the lasting effects of this crime.

Joshlyn’s teacher, Edna Mart, spoke about the kind of child Joshlyn had been.

Describing her as quiet, tidy, and gentle, Mart’s words echoed the loss felt by the community.

A painting made by Joshlyn’s classmates was also presented in court, showing an empty space where she should have been sitting.

These small, poignant moments underscored the deep emotional impact Joshlyn’s disappearance had on everyone who knew her.

Other members of Joshlyn’s extended family, including her grandmother, Rita Yon, and her aunt, Natasha Andrews, delivered powerful statements that left a lasting impression on everyone in the courtroom.

Natasha Andrews, in particular, wrote a poem for her missing niece, a moving tribute that added to the outpouring of grief and sorrow from the family.

The Legal Path Ahead
Following the convictions, the defense team for the three accused has made it clear that they intend to appeal both the conviction and the sentence.

The defense lawyers argue that the evidence presented was insufficient to justify the harsh sentences and that there were inconsistencies in the testimonies of key witnesses.

They maintain that their clients were unfairly coerced into confessions and that the trial process was flawed.

Despite these claims, the state has expressed confidence in the validity of the convictions and sentences.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has strongly defended the verdicts, and the court has supported their argument, asserting that the sentences imposed are appropriate given the gravity of the crime.

“The law is clear,” said Advocate Nichollet Bell of the NPA.

“A life sentence for human trafficking, especially involving a vulnerable child, is not only appropriate but necessary.”
The case is far from over, however.

While the defense plans to appeal, the prosecution is equally determined to see the sentences upheld, confident that there was no error in law or fact.

Whether the appeals process will alter the outcome remains to be seen.

The Ongoing Search for Joshlyn
One of the most critical aspects of this case remains the question of where Joshlyn is.

Despite the sentencing of the accused, the truth of what happened to her has not yet been fully revealed.

Police and K9 units continue to investigate, following up on new leads, and the community’s efforts to find Joshlyn show no signs of slowing down.

The case has also brought to light broader concerns about child trafficking and the vulnerability of children within certain communities.

As the search for Joshlyn continues, the questions surrounding the case remain hauntingly unresolved.

For now, the focus shifts to the future, as the country awaits the next steps in the case.

Will the truth about what happened to Joshlyn finally come to light, or will the mystery of her disappearance continue to haunt her family and the nation?