Shock arrests in Joslin Smith case: Mom, boyfriend and sangoma charged [Watch]

In a dramatic new development in the case of the tragic disappearance of the six-year-old Joslin Smith, her mother and her boyfriend have now appeared in court where they face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping.

The missing Saldanha girl’s 33-year-old mother, Kelly Smith; her boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis; Steveno van Rhyn and sangoma Phumza Sigaqa made their appearance in a packed Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning, 7 March.

State alleges mom instructed co-accused to sell Joslin Smith

The state alleges that the mother instructed Appollis and Van Rhyn on 19 February to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for R20 000.

The four suspects – who hail from Middelpos, in Diazville – have been remanded until 13 March. They have all indicated that they will be seeking legal aid representation.

Joslin’s two siblings have been placed in the care of other family members under the watchful eye of social workers.

ALSO READ: Two men claim in grim confession they sold Joslin Smith for muti

Possibility of more arrests

Police revealed that these are preliminary charges with the possibility that more could be added later as the investigation into the disappearance of the Grade 1 Diazville Primary School pupil advances.

Western Cape police commissioner Major-General Thembisile Patekile and Police Oversight and Community Safety MEC Reagan Allen also attended the proceedings.

Allen said afterwards more arrests could follow as they were “one step closer” to finding Joslin and what happened to her. 

“We are still keeping hope alive knowing that we want to find Joslin unharmed. I am aware that further charges can be added to the charge sheet and we will be closely working with the police to ensure that no stone is left unturned,” the MEC told News24. 

Search for Joslin continues

Police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel  Malcom Pojie said the search for the missing girl is ongoing.

According to Netwerk24, several sources on the West Coast claim the sangoma could be the key to unlocking the whereabouts of the little blonde, green-eyed girl.

ALSO READ: Joslin Smith latest: The Saldanha sangoma and new beach evidence probed

The day Joslin disappeared

• Joslin went missing on 19 February while in the care of Appollis.
• Kelly claims she left Joslin with her boyfriend because she had to go to work and her daughter was not feeling well.
• When she came home that evening, neither one of the two was in their hut. On his return later, Appollis however could not account for the young girl’s whereabouts.

NOW READ: Polygraph tests and chilling confessions: ‘Kelly would never sell Joslin for money’