Latest news with #JoshlinSmith
The Herald
3 days ago
- The Herald
Police scour Middelpos settlement after new information in Joshlin Smith case
Western Cape police searched an area in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on Friday afternoon chasing leads as part of the investigation into the disappearance of seven-year-old Joshlin Smith. Joshlin's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, Smith's boyfriend Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis, 33, and Steveno van Rhyn, 28, received life sentences for the kidnapping and trafficking of Joshlin in May. An eight-week trial revealed how the trio planned to sell the green-eyed grade 1 pupil with fair skin to a sangoma for R20,000 from their home in the settlement in February last year. 'SAPS teams led by detectives with K-9 members, search and rescue teams and local police have been scouring an identified area in Saldanha Bay. Whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen. It is worth reiterating that police have an obligation to follow up and test all information that is brought to their attention,' Western Cape police said on Saturday. 'A humble plea is hereby made that the search teams be afforded space to perform their duties as the investigation continues.' Police said on Saturday, even though the three were sentenced for kidnapping and human trafficking, the disappearance without trace of the child remained a priority for police and the investigation was never closed. TimesLIVE
SowetanLIVE
3 days ago
- SowetanLIVE
Police scour Middelpos settlement after new information in Joshlin Smith case
Western Cape police searched an area in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on Friday afternoon chasing leads as part of the investigation into the disappearance of seven-year-old Joshlin Smith. Joshlin's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, Smith's boyfriend Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis, 33, and Steveno van Rhyn, 28, received life sentences for the kidnapping and trafficking of Joshlin in May. An eight-week trial revealed how the trio planned to sell the green-eyed grade 1 pupil with fair skin to a sangoma for R20,000 from their home in the settlement in February last year. 'SAPS teams led by detectives with K-9 members, search and rescue teams and local police have been scouring an identified area in Saldanha Bay. Whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen. It is worth reiterating that police have an obligation to follow up and test all information that is brought to their attention,' Western Cape police said on Saturday. 'A humble plea is hereby made that the search teams be afforded space to perform their duties as the investigation continues.' Police said on Saturday, even though the three were sentenced for kidnapping and human trafficking, the disappearance without trace of the child remained a priority for police and the investigation was never closed. TimesLIVE
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Police scour Middelpos settlement after new information in Joshlin Smith case
Western Cape police searched an area in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on Friday afternoon chasing leads as part of the investigation into the disappearance of seven-year-old Joshlin Smith. Joshlin's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, Smith's boyfriend Jacquin 'Boeta' Appollis, 33, and Steveno van Rhyn, 28, received life sentences for the kidnapping and trafficking of Joshlin in May. An eight-week trial revealed how the trio planned to sell the green-eyed grade 1 pupil with fair skin to a sangoma for R20,000 from their home in the settlement in February last year. 'SAPS teams led by detectives with K-9 members, search and rescue teams and local police have been scouring an identified area in Saldanha Bay. Whether the ongoing search will yield any success remains to be seen. It is worth reiterating that police have an obligation to follow up and test all information that is brought to their attention,' Western Cape police said on Saturday. 'A humble plea is hereby made that the search teams be afforded space to perform their duties as the investigation continues.' Police said on Saturday, even though the three were sentenced for kidnapping and human trafficking, the disappearance without trace of the child remained a priority for police and the investigation was never closed.
IOL News
18-07-2025
- IOL News
Joshlin Smith's mother and accomplices set to appeal life sentences
Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, and their friend Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn were found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking six-year-old Joshlin Smith in the Western Cape High Court. Image: Ian Landsberg / Independent Media Missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith's mother, Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, together with her kidnapping and human-trafficking accomplices, will appeal against their conviction and sentence in the Western Cape High Court next month. Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Smith were each handed a life imprisonment sentence after they were convicted on charges of trafficking in persons for exploitation and kidnapping of a child victim, who has been sold but has still not been found. State witness and former accused Lourentia Lombaard testified under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ They were sentenced on May 29 by Judge Nathan Erasmus after a marathon trial, which was heard over eight weeks, with two days of evidence and arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila, confirmed the appeal will be heard at the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on August 12 and 13. 'All three have filed papers challenging both conviction and sentence. The NPA will oppose the applications, and we are confident that there are no prospects of success,' said Ntabazalila. The court is also expected to deal with State witness Lourentia Lombaard, who testified under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act. Lombaard was initially arrested with the trio but turned State witness shortly after her arrest. The court is expected to decide with regard to indemnity and her involvement in the commission of the crimes that led to the convictions and sentences handed down. During the trial, Lombaard's testimony was critically scrutinised by the defence teams due to inconsistencies in her statements, bringing her credibility into question. Joshlin Smith, who is believed to have been sold for R20,000, was reported missing on February 19 last year, and police continue to investigate her disappearance. Image: Supplied Judge Erasmus, when he handed down sentence, said reports and victim impact statements portrayed Smith as 'manipulative and manipulating the facts' as it suited her, and said she treated her child as a commodity. '(You) went as far as to blame your parents for your conduct in this matter. The evidence presented as to the disappearance of your own daughter was clear. Besides, on one occasion and earlier, I saw no indication of remorse. But it didn't start there because we know that from 19 February 2024, the lack of concern. Yes, I have to take into account that you have two other minor children, but fortunately, they are being cared for currently,' said Judge Erasmus. Judge Nathan Erasmus. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Similarly, Judge Erasmus said to Appollis, who had two previous brushes with the law but which the court placed no emphasis on, that while he is the father of an 11-year-old daughter and was a father figure to Joshlin and her two siblings, he failed to show remorse for his involvement in the crimes. Judge Erasmus also noted that Appollis had 'no concern' for Joshlin's whereabouts. About Van Rhyn, who is also a father, Judge Erasmus quoted from probation officer Errol Pietersen's report, which labelled him a 'menace to society who, over and above the abuse and misuse of alcohol and substance abuse, chose a life of crime', having committed violent crimes of robbery and housebreaking. At sentencing, all three were also entered into the National Child Protection Register, which prohibits them from ever working with children. Joshlin, who is believed to have been sold for R20,000, was reported missing on February 19 last year, and police continue to investigate her disappearance as her whereabouts are still unknown.
eNCA
18-07-2025
- eNCA
Joshlin Smith's traffickers to appeal life sentences
CAPE TOWN - The trio found guilty in the Joshlin Smith trial will return to court next month to apply for leave to appeal their judgment and sentence. Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking for the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin. The Section 204 Inquiry to determine whether the state witness Lourentia Lombaard will be granted indemnity from prosecution will also be dealt with. Their applications will be heard in the Western Cape High Court on 12 and 13 August.
