Joshlin Smith’s paternal grandmother, Louretta Yon, remains hopeful that the missing six-year-old will be found alive, despite harrowing court revelations that her mother allegedly trafficked her for R20,000.
Yon made this statement just hours after the Western Cape High Court heard shocking testimony that Joshlin’s mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, had allegedly sold her daughter.
Joshlin disappeared from Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February 2024.
Trafficking and Kidnapping Charges
Kelly, her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their friend, Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, were charged with kidnapping and human trafficking. The trio was arrested weeks after Joshlin’s disappearance.
The trial, held at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville near Joshlin’s family, has drawn significant public attention. Her father, José Emke, has attended every hearing. On Wednesday, he collapsed in court while listening to testimony.
The courtroom was divided—on the right sat Joshlin’s paternal relatives, while on the left, supporters of the accused.
@iolnews JOSHLIN SMITH LUNCH TIME UPDATE | State witness Laurentia Lombaard is expected to take the stand in the Joshlin Smith trial. After much protestation, the judge ruled that she testify on Thursday and she is expected to go under cross-examination on Friday. She had been arrested with the three accused but later turned state witness. @manditshwete provides the update. #JoshlinSmithTrial #JoshlinSmith #saldanhabay #iolnews ♬ original sound - IOL NEWS
Witness Testimony: Child Sold to a Sangoma
On Friday, State witness and former accused, Lourentia ‘Renz’ Lombaard, delivered shocking testimony. She claimed that Joshlin was taken away in a white VW Polo, an allegation that moved many community members to tears.
“I still have hope that Joshlin will be found alive,” Yon stated. “I will talk about this when the trial is over.”
Lombaard accused Kelly of selling her child to a sangoma, stating that on 18 February, Kelly met a Black woman driving a white VW Polo. The woman handed Kelly something, which she allegedly tucked into her trousers. Later, Lombaard overheard Kelly showing Boeta R20,000.
When Lombaard questioned her, Kelly allegedly responded, “I sold my child to a sangoma” because she needed the money.
Lombaard further testified that Kelly had planned to distribute the money: R1,000 for herself, R1,200 for Steveno, and the rest split between her and Boeta. She also claimed Kelly offered her money to stay silent but insisted she never accepted any payment.
@iolnews JOSHLIN SMITH TRIAL | Kelly Smith and the other two accused have arrived at the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha Bay, where Laurentia Lombaard, is expected to continue giving testimony. Videos:@manditshwete #JoshlinSmithTrial #JoshlinSmith#saldanhabay #iolnews ♬ original sound - IOL NEWS
On 19 February, Lombaard returned home around 2 pm and allegedly saw Kelly packing Joshlin’s clothes into a cooler bag before leaving with her in the same white VW Polo.
“I hid behind a rock and watched. Kelly and Joshlin got into the backseat, and the car drove off. Earlier that day, Kelly told us not to report Joshlin missing—she would do it herself.”
Kelly reportedly returned home around 4 pm, after which all four accused binged on drugs.
Later that evening, Boeta asked Lombaard if she had seen Joshlin.
“Around 8 pm, Kelly came to my home with the police and asked me if I had seen Joshlin. I told her to tell them the truth.”
That same night, Kelly, Boeta, and Steffie returned with the police, angering Lombaard’s boyfriend, who questioned why law enforcement was at their house.
Court Proceedings and Additional Testimonies
Judge Nathan Erasmus postponed the trial to Monday, with all accused remaining in custody.
Earlier this week, Kelly’s neighbour, Namhla Tinzi, testified that on 19 February, Kelly asked her if she had seen Joshlin.
“I helped her search for hours before leaving her with the police,” she said.
Joshlin’s teacher, Edna Maart, recalled a chilling encounter. The day after Joshlin vanished, Kelly allegedly jumped into her car at a petrol station, claiming that a Nigerian man told her Joshlin had been taken by boat to West Africa—and that Boeta was innocent.
Evangelist Nico Steven Coetzee revealed that in August 2023, Kelly had ominously predicted that Middelpos would soon resemble a “movie scene” with people searching but finding nothing. He further alleged that she had spoken about selling her children for R20,000 but was willing to accept R5,000.
@iolnews JOSHLIN SMITH TRIAL UPDATE | Laurentia Lombaard has returned to the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha Bay, where she is testifying as a State witness in the case of missing Joshlin Smith. Known as Renz, she is a friend of Kelly Smith. She was arrested with the other accused in March last year. The trial continues. ##JoshlinSmithTrial #JoshlinSmith #saldanhabay #iolnews ♬ original sound - IOL NEWS
Community Reacts in Shock and Fear
Resident Elizabeth Arendse admitted she initially struggled to believe the trafficking claims.
“Every time I saw Kelly with her children, she seemed so loving. When Lourentia testified that Joshlin was given to a sangoma, I felt terrified. With each testimony, I lose more hope.”
Brett Herron, secretary-general of the Good Party, highlighted the devastating impact on the Saldanha Bay community.
“The extent to which human trafficking has affected this small community is heartbreaking. Our policing services must pay greater attention to human trafficking. Every detail matters,” he said.
Friday’s testimony left the courtroom shaken.
“To think that a child was simply handed over to strangers in a car is horrifying,” Herron added.
@iolnews JOSHLIN SMITH TRIAL | ‘I hope the truth will come out’. of the people from the Saldanha Bay community who have come out to hear the evidence first hand from the Western Cape High Court, sitting at the Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay #IOLnews #JoshlinSmithTrial #JoshlinSmith #iolnews ♬ original sound - IOL NEWS
What’s Next?
Lombaard will continue her testimony on Monday, after which the defence will cross-examine her. Additional witnesses, including one from outside the province, are expected to take the stand.