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South African Mum Who SOLD Daughter 6 For Her Eyes/Skin Gets Life
South African Mum Who SOLD Daughter 6, For Her Eyes And Skin Gets Life
Racquel Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn have been sentenced in South Africa more than a year after the disappearance of Joshlin Smith
BBC 29 MAY 2025
Mother who sold six year old daughter given life term in South Africa
A South African woman convicted of kidnapping and trafficking her six year old daughter has been sentenced to life in prison, along with her two accomplices.
The jail terms for Racquel Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn come more than a year after Joshlin Smith mysteriously disappeared outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town.
Despite a highly publicised search for the girl, who vanished in February 2024, she is yet to be found.
The sentencing follows an eight week trial that captivated South Africa, with witnesses and prosecutors making a number of shocking allegations.
Judge Nathan Erasmus said he drew no distinction between the trio in handing down the sentences.
On the human trafficking charge, you are sentenced to life imprisonment. On the kidnapping charge, you are sentenced to 10 years imprisonment, he said to loud applause in the courtroom.
Kelly Smith refused to testify in the six week trial
Judge Erasmus took over an hour to deliver the sentence and was measured as he gave a brief summary of the case and highlighted points that stood out during the trial.
He rebuked the trio, especially Van Rhyn and Smith, saying they showed no remorse for their actions.
Smith, 35, and her accomplices showed no emotion as their sentences were read out in the community centre in Saldanha where the trial was held to allow residents to attend proceedings.
Police said the search for the little girl would continue, even beyond South Africas borders.
We will not rest until we find what happened to Joshlin. We are continuing day and night looking for her, Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile told local media.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomed the sentence and lauded the work of its team in proving that Joshlin was sold and delivered to the intended buyer for the purpose of exploitation, namely slavery or practices similar to slavery
Ahead of sentencing, Joshlins grandmother, Amanda Smith Daniels, once again pleaded with her daughter to bring my grandchild back or tell me where she is..I dont feel that any sentence they get will bring my grandchild back
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