Kelly Smith – the mother of missing Joslin Smith – as well as two others, have pled not guilty to charges of child trafficking and kidnapping.
The Saldanha Bay woman, her partner, Jacquin “Boeta” Apollis, and a male friend, Steveno van Rhyn, are accused of selling the child to finance their drug habit.
According to reports, Kelly miscarried her unborn baby while in custody at Pollsmoor Prison. She has two other children from a previous partner.
Joslin went missing on 19 February 2024. She has yet to be found.
JOSLIN SMITH’S MOM PLEADS NOT GUILTY
On Monday, 3 March, Kelly Smith, Apollis, and van Rhyn kicked off their high court trial at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay. Presided over by Judge Nathan Erasmus, the trial moved to the venue to accommodate the local community.
The trio pled not guilty to charges of child trafficking and kidnapping relating to the disappearance of seven-year-old Joslin Smith.
According to her statement, Kelly discovered that Joslin was missing on the afternoon of 19 February. However she only filed a missing persons report later that evening.
Images via Facebook: Ashley Rix
Taking to the stand, the trial’s first witness, SAP Constable Yanga Gongotha, alleged that Kelly did not appear concerned at the time of reporting her child missing. Instead, she was more preoccupied with the whereabouts of her partner.
He said: “She didn’t appear as someone worried about the disappearance of the child. The most important thing for her was for us to get hold of the person who was looking after the child. The boyfriend. Not the child”.
LAUGHING, JOKING, AND ASKING FOR CHOCOLATE
Before the court was in session, Kelly Smith was captured laughing and joking with her co-accused, Steveno van Rhyn, who was seated next to her.
Wearing a floral shirt, a pair of jeans, and a crucifix around her neck, the mother of Joslin Smith also casually chatted with members of the public.
After court was dismissed, Kelly made her way to the police vehicle carrying a bag of KFC.
She was also filmed asking one of her acquaintances to buy her “chips and chocolate.”
“See you tomorrow”, she added.
@iolnews Joshlin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn are appearing in the Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay. The trio faces charges of kidnapping and trafficking in persons for exploitation. In the video Kelly is heard telling Jacquen Appollis not to laugh becuase “people say they do not show emotion.” #joshlinsmith #joshlinsmithlatestupdate #news #southafricatiktok ♬ original sound – IOL NEWS
@iolnews The highly anticipated Joshlin Smith trial has adjourned for the day. Kelly Smith, Jacquin Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn are facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. During today’s testimony, the trio listened attentively, with Kelly taking notes throughout the proceedings. The case is set to resume tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates. ⚖️ #JoshlinSmith #TrialUpdates #BreakingNews 🎥 @ayandajongilanga ♬ original sound – IOL NEWS
PUBLIC DISTURBED
On social media, South Africans were disturbed by the behaviour of Joslin Smith’s mother.
@ericascheeperssam: “She acts like nothing has happened. Like She has come from visiting someone.”
@mischas_world: “Thinking of how scared Joslin is. She’s crying for help. Yet her mother is well-fed and requesting chocolate. No remorse whatsoever.”
@theresa: “Wow! She thinks she’s a celebrity.”
@sharon_anne: “The audacity! Where is Joslin?”
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE BEHAVIOUR OF JOSLIN SMITH’S MOM KELLY?
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