KELLY'S HOME BURNED

IN A shocking outcome of the Joshlin Smith case, the hokkie where six-year-old Joshlin Smith once lived with her mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, was uitgebrand on Friday night. 

Hours after the guilty verdict that convicted Kelly, her berk Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and friend Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn of kidnapping and trafficking the missing meisie, videos of the Middelpos shack burning went viral.  

Police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie, confirmed that the house was torched on Friday.

He reports: "We can confirm that Saldanha SAPS registered an arson case for investigation after Kelly Smith's Middelpos dwelling was destroyed by a fire. An adult female had been taken in for questioning.”

White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville was abuzz with mense on Friday as people flocked from all over the province to hear the judgment.

People had reportedly come from as far as Mossel Bay. 

The public gallery erupted into cheers after Erasmus confirmed that Joshlin had indeed been exchanged.

Joshlin was reported missing from her Middelpos home on 19 February 19, 2024. Her disappearance sparked a large-scale manhunt and a months-long investigation that culminated in the arrest of the trio.

Erasmus confirmed that the matter would be brought back to Saldanha for sentencing.

The trio is expected to be remanded in custody ahead of sentencing proceedings and the matter would continue on 9 May. 

After court adjourned, Western Cape Police Commissioner, General Thembisile Patekile said the search for Joshlin has not stopped and that police will “cast the net worldwide”.

Women and children’s rights organisation, Ilitha Labantu, said this case is a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children and serves as a reflection of the continued failures of a society that has, too often, failed to protect its most vulnerable members.

Spokesperson Siyabulela Mamkeli said: "The question arises: How can we, as a society, claim to be making any real progress if children continue to endure violence, trafficking, and abuse in all its forms?

“In this case, we must ask, where is Joshlin Smith? Despite the court ruling, the fact remains that Joshlin Smith is still missing, and this tragedy serves as a sobering reminder that the fight for children's rights and safety is far from over."