Joshlin Smith Disappearance: Allegations of Trafficking in South Africa
Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old girl from South Africa, is missing amid allegations that her mother sought her for human trafficking. Court proceedings reveal details of the girl’s disappearance linked to a traditional healer’s interest in her eyes and skin. Multiple testimonies suggest that financial desperation drove her mother to orchestrate the kidnapping, escalating concerns over safety and exploitation.
In the case of Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old South African girl who went missing in February 2024, crucial allegations have surfaced regarding her disappearance. According to court proceedings, a traditional healer allegedly sought Joshlin for her unique blue-green eyes and fair complexion. Her mother, Kelly Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and friend Steveno van Rhyn, face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping, which they deny.
The trial, transpiring at a community center in Saldanha, has revealed troubling details. Initially, Ms. Smith reported Joshlin’s absence after leaving her in Appollis’s care, but prosecutors later accused her of possibly trafficking her daughter. It took more than six hours for Smith to alert authorities about the child’s disappearance, during which she appeared unphased and seemed more preoccupied with her boyfriend.
Evidence presented in the trial has grown increasingly alarming. A pastor testified that Ms. Smith often discussed the idea of selling her children for monetary gain, even stating she would accept a lower price than initially quoted. Contrastingly, Joshlin’s teacher reported that Smith claimed her daughter was already en route to West Africa locked in a shipping container.
A pivotal moment in court came when Lourentia Lombaard, a friend of Ms. Smith, testified as a state witness. She recounted Ms. Smith’s admission to selling her child to a sangoma due to financial desperation. Lombaard revealed she witnessed Smith preparing Joshlin’s belongings before meeting a woman, believed to be the healer, and leaving in a vehicle with her.
Lombaard chillingly stated that the individual who sought Joshlin desired her for “her eyes and skin,” though no explanation was given regarding the healer’s intentions. Charges against another alleged traditional healer were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. The Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007 in South Africa recognizes sangomas as reputable practitioners, though cases of exploitation persist.
Lombaard expressed regret over her inability to prevent the situation, issuing a heartfelt plea for Joshlin’s safe return. The ongoing trial is anticipated to conclude by March 28, 2024, shedding light on this heartbreaking case.
The shocking case of Joshlin Smith showcases severe accusations against her mother, Kelly Smith, and others for their alleged roles in her disappearance. Key revelations highlight a troubling intersection of poverty, belief in traditional healing, and human trafficking. The callous pursuit for Joshlin’s physical attributes reportedly by a traditional healer emphasizes the need for greater awareness regarding the exploitation associated with such practices. The court proceedings will continue to provide clarity on these unsettling events affecting the young girl’s fate.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
