The Mysterious Disappearance of Joshyn Smith: A Story of Loss, Justice, and Hope
The disappearance of six-year-old Joshyn Smith from the small town of Sana Bay in February 2024 sent shockwaves across South Africa.

The initial reports painted a picture of a missing child, but what unfolded over the following weeks and months would turn into one of the most disturbing and complex cases in the country’s recent history.

Despite being sentenced, the one question that still lingers is: Where is Joshyn Smith?
On February 19th, 2024, Joshyn was reported missing after being entrusted to her mother’s boyfriend, Jaquina Apollus.

Witnesses recall seeing Joshyn playing outside her home earlier that day, but by the time Kelly Smith, her mother, returned, Joshyn had vanished without a trace.

The search that followed was exhaustive.

Police, local volunteers, and the South African Navy combed the dunes, sea, and shacks of the informal settlement where Joshyn lived.

But Joshyn’s whereabouts remained a mystery.

As the investigation continued, rumors began to swirl.

Some speculated that she had been trafficked, while others suggested she had been sold.

The story took a shocking turn when it was revealed that Joshyn had allegedly been sold for R20,000 to a traditional healer, or sangoma, as Kelly and her co-accused were later implicated in a human trafficking operation.

The Troubled Life of Kelly Smith:
Kelly Smith’s personal history has painted a troubling picture of her relationship with Joshyn and her other children.

Raised by her maternal grandmother, Kelly’s struggles with substance abuse began at just 15 years old.

Her addiction led to her being abusive, and eventually, her grandmother kicked her out.

Kelly’s life was one of instability, marked by drug use, violence, and neglect.

Despite her troubled past, Kelly had attempted to keep her family together, but her addiction continued to take its toll.

Kelly’s relationship with her children remained strained, and by the time Joshyn was born, Kelly was already a mother with no stable foundation.

Social workers documented the neglect suffered by Joshyn and her older brother.

Despite these challenges, Kelly’s love for her children seemed genuine.

She did whatever she could to provide for them, even if it meant working odd jobs for little pay.

In 2018, Kelly attempted to have Joshyn placed for adoption, but the plan fell apart when Joshyn’s biological father, Joseé Emky, and Kelly refused to consent.

Natasha Andrews, who had been involved in the adoption process, explained how Kelly’s inability to make lasting decisions for her children created an environment of uncertainty.

The Conspiracy Unfolds:
The real twists of this story began to surface in March 2024, when Kelly Smith, Jaquina Apollus, and two other individuals were arrested in connection with Joshyn’s disappearance.

Kelly’s friends, Lorentia Lombard and Stino Van Rein, were later revealed to have been involved in a plan to sell Joshyn.

They were arrested and charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.

The investigation revealed a web of deceit.

Lombard, who had been in the company of Kelly and her boyfriend on the day of Joshyn’s disappearance, claimed that Kelly had spoken about selling her child for financial gain.

Lombard testified that she had witnessed Kelly meeting with a woman who later took Joshyn, a woman described as a traditional healer.

Lombard confirmed that Kelly had planned to sell her daughter, with the price being R20,000.

The police found bloodstained items in Kelly’s shack during their search, further corroborating suspicions of foul play.

Lombard’s testimony, combined with confessions from Apollus and Van Rein, provided key pieces of evidence in the case.

Kelly’s own confessions, though initially contradictory, added to the mounting evidence against her.

The Emotional Toll and Public Outcry:
The trial has been a rollercoaster of emotions for those involved.

Joshyn’s father expressed his heartbreak when speaking about Kelly’s actions.

“It made me sad,” he said.

“I just want to know where my daughter is. I’m angry that she’s not here with me. I just need answers.” His words reflect the agony that many in the community felt as they followed the trial, hoping for justice for Joshyn.

The public, too, was outraged.

Kelly’s house was set on fire by members of the community, an act of mob justice spurred by anger and frustration over Joshyn’s disappearance.

While the community’s anger is understandable, such actions are problematic.

Burning houses and taking matters into one’s own hands may feel like justice, but it only fuels the cycle of violence and fear.

Law enforcement urged calm and reminded the public that justice must be served through the courts, not through vigilante actions.

The situation in Sana Bay became even more tense as the trial unfolded, with the community demanding justice and answers.

Kelly’s lawyer, meanwhile, has indicated that they plan to appeal the verdict, further prolonging the legal process and adding to the uncertainty surrounding the case.

The Sentencing:
The sentencing of Kelly Smith, Jaquina Apollus, and Stavina Fenrain is set for May 29, 2025.

The judge will consider their past criminal records, their behavior during the trial, and their expressions of remorse.

Apollus and Fenrain, with their lengthy criminal histories, will likely face a more severe sentence, while Kelly Smith’s actions will be scrutinized for her role in orchestrating the abduction of her daughter.

The judge will also need to consider whether the accused have shown genuine remorse.

Kelly’s tears during the trial have raised questions about her sincerity, while Apollus and Fenrain’s actions—along with their claims of torture during police questioning—will likely influence the court’s decision.

The Ongoing Search for Joshyn:
Despite the convictions, the case is far from closed.

Joshyn’s disappearance remains the primary focus.

The police continue to follow leads, with efforts expanding beyond South Africa’s borders.

The community’s frustration remains palpable, as they still do not know where Joshyn is or what happened to her.

The question remains: Where is she?
The search continues, with the police renewing their call for anyone with information to come forward.

As the trial nears its conclusion, the true resolution of this case will only come when Joshyn is found.

Her fate remains the central tragedy of this entire story.

Conclusion:
The trial of Kelly Smith, Jaquina Apollus, and Stavina Fenrain has brought some level of justice to the case, but it has also left South Africa with unanswered questions.

While the legal proceedings move forward, the country remains focused on one question: Where is Joshyn Smith? The conviction of the accused is only part of the story.

The true justice will only be served when the missing child is found, and her family finally gets the answers they deserve.