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RACQUEL 'KELLY' SMITH, 32, AND HER BOYFRIEND JACQUEN APPOLLIS, 29, HAVE BEEN SENTENCED TO LIFE BEHIND BARS FOLLOWING A SIX-WEEK TRIAL AT A COMMUNITY CENTRE IN SALDANHA, SOUTH
AFRICA 11:11, 29 May 2025 A mum has been handed a life sentence after being found guilty of the heinous crime of abducting and selling her six-year-old daughter for body parts. Racquel
'Kelly' Smith, alongside her partner Jacquen Appollis, received life imprisonment after a gruelling six-week trial at a community centre in Saldanha, South Africa. The court was
told that little Joshlin Smith had been trafficked to a traditional healer for her "eyes and skin". Testimonies revealed that Smith had discussed selling her children for 20,000
rand (£850) apiece, with another witness claiming she intended to hand over her daughter to a "sangoma" healer who coveted the child for her physical attributes. During the trial,
a local pastor claimed to have heard Smith express willingness to settle for as little as $275 (£204). Despite extensive searches since Joshlin's disappearance in February 2024, her
whereabouts remain unknown. Previously, Smith had garnered public sympathy in South Africa following her daughter's disappearance, with locals rallying to scour the sand dunes near
their Middelpos home. She initially told authorities she left Joshlin with Appollis on the day she disappeared and hadn't seen her since, reports the Mirror. Judge Erasmus stated last
week that the mother's behaviour was "not that of a concerned parent", implying that she was aware of her daughter's fate. He addressed Smith, saying: "The conduct
of ... Ms Smith is not that of a concerned parent. And why not? In my mind, the only inference is that you knew (what happened)." The trial of Smith and her co-defendants has captivated
South Africa, with the courtroom erupting into applause as they were sentenced to life imprisonment this week. Judge Nathan Erasmus, presiding over the case, stated that he "drew no
distinction" between Smith, her boyfriend, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn before handing down the sentences. He declared: "On the human trafficking charge, you are sentenced to
life imprisonment. On the kidnapping charge, you are sentenced to 10 years imprisonment." As the sentences were passed, the courtroom reportedly broke into applause, with emotions
running high ahead of the trial's conclusion. Family and community members, fuelled by anger, had called for harsh punishment for the mother and the other accused, with locals stating
that the three "deserve a harsh sentence". Amanda Smith-Daniels, Joshlin's grandmother, made a final desperate plea for her daughter to "bring my [grand]child back or
tell me where she is". Article continues below The heartbroken grandmother opened up to Newzroom Afrika, expressing that she believes "any sentence they get will bring my
grandchild back" won't ease her pain. Onlookers were spotted in tears among the crowd when a video of the young girl was shown before the sentencing took place.