
Another lie? Joslin's mom has 'dream' of her location
This comes as police confirmed that they were following up on new leads in the informal settlement of Middelpos.
In May, the Saldanha Bay woman and two others, Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were convicted and sentenced by Western Cape High Court judge Nathan Erasmus for kidnapping and child trafficking.
Last February, the blonde-haired, green-eyed girl disappeared from her home. According to witnesses, she was allegedly sold to a sangoma for the purposes of 'muti'.
On social media, South Africans have been speculating after police confirmed that they were following up on new information about the disappearance of Joslin Smith.
Many referred to a rumour that the little girl's mother – Kelly Smith – had 'dreamt' that Joslin was dead. She claimed her remains were located in Middelpos, where the Smith family resided.
One Facebook user posted, 'Kelly apparently had a dream that she is buried in a drain in the cemetery behind Middelpos. Kelly is playing games.'
Another added: 'Kelly Smith is probably the one who helped dig the hole then. Her hands and arms were full of sand'. A third added: 'I think that Kelly has possibly given the investigating officers information regarding who exactly it was that she sold Joslin to'. Is Joslin Smith still alive? According to rumours, her mother believes she is dead and her remains are buried near her home.
Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC News.
During an eight-week trial, witnesses relayed how Kelly Smith bragged about selling her daughter to a sangoma for R20 000. She also allegedly claimed her child had been trafficked by a Nigerian man. Kelly reportedly told her sister that Joslin could also be 'hiding' in the Middelpos informal settlement.
Kelly and her co-accused refused to testify in court.
In a statement, police confirmed that they were following up on new leads in the active investigation into Joslin Smith's disappearance.
It read: 'SAPS teams led by detectives with K-9 members, search and rescue teams, and local police have been scouring an identified area in Saldanha Bay. Whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen.
'It is worth reiterating that police have an obligation to follow up and test all information that is brought to their attention'.
Police appealed to the public to give them space and time to perform their duties as the investigation continues.'
Meanwhile, Kelly Smith, Jacquin Appollis, and Steven van Rhyn will appeal their life sentences for kidnapping and child trafficking relating to Joslin Smith.
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila confirmed that the trio will appear in the Western Cape High Court on 12 and 13 August.
He said: 'All three have filed papers challenging both conviction and sentence. The NPA will oppose the applications, and we are confident that there are no prospects of success.
State witness Lourentia Lombaard – a former accused – has yet to hear her fate from Judge Nathan Erasmus.
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 .
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp , Facebook , X, and Bluesky for the latest news.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

IOL News
21 minutes ago
- IOL News
Fraudulent law degree leads to charges against former NPA prosecutor
Luthando Nomandindi is facing serious charges after purportedly defrauding the State of more than R1.1 million as a fake prosecutor. Image: Supplied/SAPS A former prosecutor for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is facing serious charges after allegedly defrauding the State of more than R1.1 million. Luthando Nomandindi, 33, appeared in the Mthatha Specialised Commercial Crime Court in the Eastern Cape facing charges of fraud, forgery, and uttering. The charges stem from Nomandindi's time at Walter Sisulu University (WSU), where he was enrolled in a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree programme from 2010 to 2016. Despite being registered for six years, Nomandindi failed to satisfy the academic requirements necessary for graduation. Police spokesperson Ndiphiwe Mhlakuvana said: "Despite this, in 2020, Nomandindi apparently submitted a falsified LLB degree certificate and a bogus Legal Education and Development (L.E.A.D) attendance report as part of his application to the NPA's Aspirant Prosecutor Programme, which required a legitimate LLB qualification or proof of final-year status." Mhlakuvana said based on his fraudulent credentials, in January 2021, Nomandindi was appointed as an Aspirant Prosecutor and later elevated to the position of Public Prosecutor. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Using the same fake qualifications, Nomandindi applied for a promotion at the Regional Court as a Court Prosecutor and he was shortlisted for appointment. However, his fraudulent reign came crashing down when the NPA sought original academic certificates from him. In a panic, Nomandindi resigned on March 15 this year, just before the original documents were to be reviewed. The discrepancies in his qualifications were quickly flagged, leading to the investigation by the Hawks' Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit. The inquiry revealed that WSU had never conferred any LLB degree upon Nomandindi. Furthermore, the Legal Education and Development organisation confirmed that due to outstanding fees on his account, they had never issued him an attendance report either. Nomandindi was arrested on July 22, and made a court appearance on the same day. He was subsequently released on R5000 bail. The matter was posted to August 18, for disclosure of docket contents. Cape Times


The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
Nightclub stabbing leaves Isipingo teen dead
THE police are investigating a case of murder after a 19-year-old Isipingo youth died after being stabbed during an altercation outside a nightclub on July 12. Also read: More bullying reported at an Isipingo school Noah Nobin died in the hospital five days later, and his alleged assailant, also 19, handed himself to the police. Provincial police spokesperson Colonel Robert Netshiunda confirmed the incident. 'Police in Isipingo have opened a murder case for investigation after five suspects on Lotus Road allegedly stabbed a 19-year-old man. He sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. The motive of the attack is still unknown,' said Netshiunda. In 2022, a then-16-year-old Nobin featured in the SUN after a group of boys assaulted him. That bullying incident left him with a swollen and bruised face. His funeral was held in Isipingo on July 23, and he was later cremated at Clare Estate Crematorium. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.


The Citizen
an hour ago
- The Citizen
School bus accident on West Park Road leaves children injured
An incident occurred on July 28 when a school bus transporting children rolled over on West Park Road in Montgomery Park. SCP Security responded promptly to the motor vehicle accident, where a taxi overturned while carrying a load of schoolchildren. Jaun van der Westhuizen, from SCP Security, reported that they received a call for assistance at 07:15 that morning. 'SCP Security got called for a taxi that lost control and rolled while transporting schoolchildren on the famous West Park Road,' he said. The security team arrived on the scene within minutes to find chaos, with children climbing out of the vehicle, some crying, and others in shock or injured, said Van Der Westhuizen. Fortunately, there were no life-threatening injuries reported. 'Approximately eight children were injured and were transported to the hospital by ER24, Help24, and Netcare911. Witnesses at the scene indicated that the taxi was speeding and had overtaken another vehicle before losing control.' Also read: What to do after a road accident: a step-by-step guide He emphasised that residents in the area have expressed growing concerns about the safety of West Park Road, citing reckless driving and speeding as significant issues. This incident follows a tragic accident on the same road just three weeks prior, where three people lost their lives. SCP Private Fire Search and Rescue and the City of Johannesburg were called to that scene to extricate the deceased from the vehicle. Van Der Westhuizen questioned how many more lives needed to be lost before something gets done on this road. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!