Latest news with #JacquenAppollis
Eyewitness News
12-08-2025
- Eyewitness News
Court to hear Joshlin Smith's traffickers' appeal against their convictions, sentences
CAPE TOWN - Joshlin Smith's traffickers believe the court has erred in sentencing them to life behind bars. At the end of May, the missing child's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were handed life sentences for human trafficking and ten years for kidnapping. Joshlin was six years old when she disappeared from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay in February 2024. Attorneys for Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, filed notices to appeal the high court's ruling and sentences, barely a week after sentencing was handed down in May this year. Tuesday and Wednesday have been set aside for the court to hear the appeals. Judge Nathan Erasmus is also expected to decide the fate of former-accused-turned State witness, Lourentia Lombaard. Lombaard told the court that Smith sold her daughter to a sangoma for R20,000. Meanwhile, the police's work is not yet done as their investigation and search for little Joshlin, continue.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Africa Daily Focus on Africa: South Africa's human trafficking problem
A South African woman, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn have been given life sentences after being convicted of trafficking her missing 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. The case has captivated and horrified audiences around the world. It has also highlighted the wider issue of human trafficking in South Africa. An anti-trafficking campaigner responds to the rulling and explains the extend of problem in the country. Also, Kenya and Mayotte sign a trade deal to boost economic ties. What will be traded? And a tribute to and exploration of, Kenya's literary giant Ngugi wa Thiong'o, who has died at the age of 87. Presenter: Richard Kagoe Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Tom Kavanagh and Amie Liebowitz in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Zawya
30-05-2025
- General
- Zawya
Justice Committee Chairperson Commends National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for Successful Prosecution and Life Sentences
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Xola Nqola, has commended the entire team that secured life sentences for all three accused in the human trafficking of the young Joshlin Smith. 'We can see that it was all hands-on deck to ensure justice for this little girl. The sentencing in this case is a critical step in the pursuit of justice for Joshlin and a stern reminder that our legal system will not tolerate crimes against children. While no sentence can undo the pain and loss, the committee trusts that this outcome reaffirms society's collective commitment to upholding the rights and dignity of every child in South Africa,' said Mr Nqola. Joshlin disappeared in February 2024. South African had to face the heart-breaking reality that her mother, Ms Kelly Smith, alongside her partner Mr Jacquen Appollis and friend Mr Steveno van Rhyn, sold her for R20,000. He said these sentences should send out the message that South Africa will not be a breeding ground for child trafficking. This is what the legislature had in mind with the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act, Mr Nqola said, when it made provision for stiff penalties for robbing people of their freedom of movement. It is a heinous crime. 'Furthermore, we want to appreciate all the role players – the judiciary, the National Prosecuting Authority, and law enforcement agencies and the community at large – for their tireless efforts to ensure justice is seen to be done. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
BBC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Focus on Africa Joshlin Smith: South Africa's human trafficking problem
A South African woman, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn have been given life sentences after being convicted of trafficking her missing 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. The case has captivated and horrified audiences around the world. It has also highlighted the wider issue of human trafficking in South Africa. An anti-trafficking campaigner responds to the rulling and explains the extent of problem in the country. Also, Kenya and Mayotte sign a trade deal to boost economic ties. What will be traded? And a tribute to and an exploration of, Kenya's literary giant Ngugi wa Thiong'o, who has died at the age of 87. Presenter: Richard Kagoe Technical Producer: Jonathan Greer Producers: Nyasha Michelle, Tom Kavanagh and Amie Liebowitz in London. Charles Gitonga in Nairobi Senior Journalist: Karnie Sharp Editors: Alice Muthengi and Andre Lombard
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
South African woman sentenced to life for selling six-year-old daughter
A South African woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment alongside two accomplices for trafficking her then six-year-old daughter, in a case that gripped South Africa and gained international attention after the girl went missing last year. Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were convicted of kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin Smith, who disappeared from her home in a small township in the Western Cape in February 2024. Joshlin has still not been found, despite an extensive police search. During the trial, a witness said Smith had told her she had sold her daughter to a sangoma, a traditional healer, for 20,000 rand (£830) and that the girl had been desired for her 'eyes and skin'. Another witness, a pastor, said Smith told him in 2023 that she planned to sell her daughter. 'There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose,' the high court judge Nathan Erasmus said. Erasmus also imposed a 10-year kidnapping sentence on the three, to run concurrently with the life sentence for human trafficking, and ordered their names be entered into the child protection register. Erasmus said the fact Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn were drug users was no excuse and described Smith as 'a person who is manipulative and manipulates the facts as it suits you'. '[You] went as far as to blame your parents for your conduct in this matter,' the judge said during the sentencing in Saldanha Bay, a fishing town 85 miles north of Cape Town. 'The evidence presented as to the disappearance of your own daughter was clear. Besides on one occasion earlier and yesterday, I saw no indication of remorse, but it didn't start there because we know from 19 February 2024 the lack of concern.' Smith's mother, Amanda Daniels, was present at the sentencing, wearing a white T-shirt emblazoned with a photograph of Joshlin's face. The day before, a court officer read out a victim impact statement on her behalf, describing how she had 'cried my eyes out' on Mother's Day earlier in May. Daniels' statement said: 'Kelly, you have made our lives hell on earth. I feel like my heart has been ripped from my body. You have broken [this family] apart.' Daniels is now caring for Smith's two other children, of whom Joshlin was the middle child, and said she was constantly afraid they would go missing too. South Africa police said they had extended the search for Joshlin outside the country. Soon after her disappearance, Gayton McKenzie, the leader of the populist, minority Patriotic Alliance party and now sport and culture minister, offered a 1m rand (£42,000) reward for her safe return. Kidnappings have soared recently in South Africa, with more than 17,000 in the 12 months to 31 March 2024, almost treble three years earlier, according to South African police data. Agence France-Presse and Reuters contributed to this story
