‘JOSHLIN LIKELY ABUSED’

A HUMAN trafficking expert from the United States of America believes missing Joshlin Smith was likely sold into exploitation. 

The shocking testimony comes on the opening day of the sentencing hearing of her mother Kelly Smith, die se berk Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and chommie Steveno van Rhyn. 

The trio were convicted of human trafficking and kidnapping of seven-year-old Joshlin earlier this month. 

The green-eyed meisie went missing on February 19, 2024. She has not been found to date. 

The trio is expected to learn their fate this week as sentencing proceedings in the matter get underway. 

Kicking off proceedings with his explosive testimony, Dr Marcel van der Watt, who is based in the US, delivered his testimony via Microsoft Teams to the stunned court. 

With 23 years of expertise in the field, van der Watt, a former police officer in South Africa, has assisted the FCS Unit, SAPS’ Hostage Negotiation Unit, and the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (known as the Hawks). 

Van der Watt provided the court with a detailed 35-page report for sentencing proceedings. 

He highlighted the betrayal by a parent, the very person entrusted to protect and nurture their child, aggravates the offence.

He says: “While the exact details of her abuse remain unclear due to her unknown whereabouts, it is highly unlikely that Joshlin did not endure harm. 

“The mention of her physical traits, such as her eyes and light-colored skin, suggests she may have been subjected to exploitation. 

“It would be disingenuous to assume she was placed in such a situation merely for admiration. 

“Evidence relating to harm and child abuse paints a grim picture, and it is very plausible that Joshlin experienced severe abuse, either physical and/or psychological.”

During the trial it was established that Kelly had devised a plan to sell Joshlin as early as August 2023, with the price eventually set at R20 000.

And Van de Watt pakked dik that the Kelly’s crime was premeditated and calculated.

Van der Watt added: “This indicates significant forethought and intent, as the accused had ample time to consider and deliberate over the nature of her actions and the consequences for Joshlin. 

“This was not a spontaneous act but a calculated crime. The evidence also strongly suggests that no other alternative but that Joshlin was sold for exploitation.

"This aligns with the established patterns of trafficking crimes.”

The agreement entailed that Joshlin would be sold and that all parties involved would maintain silence, thereby obstructing justice and concealing their actions.

He added: "This level of coordination and secrecy points to a shared intent and complicity in the crime. It is clear that all three accused, along with [former accused turned State witness] Lourentia Lombaard, were aware of, or should have reasonably known, that Joshlin was being sold for exploitation."