JOSHLIN SENTENCING THIS WEEK

KELLY Smith and her co-accused will learn their straf this week in the missing Joshlin Smith matter. 

Kelly, berk Jacquen Appollis and chommie Steveno van Rhyn were found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking the meisie from Middelpos, Saldanha Bay. 

They will return to the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville tomorrow as Judge Nathan Erasmus hands down their sentences across three days.

On Friday, Erasmus transferred the matter back to Saldanha from the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town and the accused were transferred to Langebaan and Malmesbury holding cells today until next week. 

Meanwhile, all parties indicated that they were ready to go ahead with proceedings next week, save for Appollis, who said he had not yet consulted with a social worker. 

Judge Erasmus urged that the reports from the experts be ready by Monday and sent to him to ensure no further delays in sentencing proceedings. 

Senior State Advocate Zelda Swanepoel indicated that one witness will appear virtually.

The trio was in a marathon trial for their roles in the disappearance and trafficking of six-year-old Joshlin. 

She was last seen on February 19, 2024, at her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, and the State alleged that she had been trafficked in a plot masterminded by Smith to sell her daughter for R20 000.