A South African woman, Kelly Smith, has been found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her 6-year-old daughter, Joshlin. Smith’s boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and friend Steveno van Rhyn have also been convicted of the same charges. The three had previously denied the allegations.
Joshlin disappeared from outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, over a year ago. Despite a public search, she remains missing. The trial was highly publicized, with prosecutors accusing Smith of selling her daughter and lying about her disappearance.
During the trial, witnesses testified that Smith had discussed selling Joshlin to a traditional healer for her eyes and skin. A local pastor also testified that Smith had mentioned selling her children for a significant amount of money. However, Smith’s lawyer cast doubt on these allegations, citing inconsistencies in one of the witnesses’ testimonies.
The guilty verdict has sparked conversations about the vulnerability of children, particularly in South Africa’s poor communities. The police have stated that they will continue to search for Joshlin. Sentencing is expected to be carried out in the coming weeks.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y6d72pqk6o