ALL EYES ON KELLY

ALL eyes will be on mother Kelly Smith when the highly-anticipated sentencing proceedings in the Joshlin Smith matter is set to begin this morning in Diazville. 

Joshlin’s mother Kelly, her berk Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis en die se chommie Steveno van Rhyn will know their fate before the end of this week, with Judge Nathan Erasmus expected to finalise the sentences on Thursday. 

The trio was found guilty on 2 May of kidnapping and human trafficking charges relating to Smith’s then-six-year-old daughter, Joshlin, who disappeared on 19 February 2024. 

The trio, who were detained at Pollsmoor Prison since early May, were transported closer to Saldanha Bay, where the proceedings would take place at the White City Multipurpose Hall.

Smith is being held in Langebaan, while her two co-accused are detained at Malmesbury Prison. 

This week, the State is expected to present evidence from a human trafficking expert from the US. This will be followed by a victim impact report, which will detail the effect Joshlin’s disappearance has had on her family and her community. 

It has also been stated that Boeta’s defence lawyer, Fanie Harmse, may call his mother to the stand to testify in mitigation of sentencing. 

It remains unclear whether Kelly will be calling any witnesses to the stand or if she will be taking the stand herself. 

She refused to speak in her own defence or call any witnesses during the trial.

In Van Rhyn’s case, it is also unclear if he will speak or if someone will vouch for him.

The court still has to deal with its State witness, former accused Lourentia Lombaard. 

Lombaard was initially implicated in the matter before she turned State witness in October last year. 

She previously testified that Smith sold Joshlin for R20 000 and claimed she would have received R1 000 as her cut to keep her mouth shut. 

While Lombaard was part of the initial group who planned the green-eyed girl’s disappearance, it is not clear whether Judge Erasmus will have her suffer the same fate as the convicted kidnappers.