Nation awaits verdict in Joshlin Smith human trafficking and kidnapping case
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The day the entire nation has been waiting for has arrived - the day of sentencing in the Joshlin Smith disappearance.
Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Kelly Smith will know their fate on Thursday.
On Wednesday, State Advocate Zelda Swanepoel urged the Western Cape High Court to impose the prescribed minimum sentence of life imprisonment for the human trafficking conviction. While she left sentencing on the kidnapping charge to the discretion of the court, she emphasised the severity of the crime.
'We use today's evidence to be the voice of Joshlin,' said Swanepoel.
Judge Nathan Erasmus also referred to the trauma this case has left behind, recalling an earlier statement of Kelly's mother, Amanda Smith Daniels, where she stated she would go in a frantic search for Kelly's son should he be only two minutes later on his way home from school.
'Will Saldanha ever be the same after this case?' Judge Erasmus asked.
'This instance has changed the whole community and changed how we all look at things,' Swanepoel submitted.
She called on the court to take the victim impact statements into account that were handed in as evidence during the morning.
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Swanepoel told the court on the day Joshlin was reported missing, February 19, 2024, Boeta was in a parental position.
Van Rhyn she stated, was identified as a menace to society.
'We have seen Ms Smith getting emotional and crying in court. But, respectfully, I want to say. It's a little too late,' Swanepoel submitted.
Judge Erasmus also advised the trio to bring all their belongings along with them.
'You will probably be transferred to maximum security facilities and will not back to to the prison where you stayed for the night,' he said.
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