Racquel “Kelly” Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn, received life sentences for their roles in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, whose case shocked the country in early 2024. All three were also sentenced to an additional ten years for kidnapping.
The sentencing took place in a local stadium near Cape Town to accommodate members of the community who wanted to witness the proceedings. Smith reportedly showed no emotion when her sentence was read.
Smith initially received public sympathy after her daughter disappeared in February from outside their home. Images of the smiling girl with green eyes and pigtails were circulated nationwide. But the public's perception shifted after allegations emerged that Smith sold her daughter to a sangoma, or traditional healer, for 20,000 rand (around $1,100), reports the New York Post.
One witness testified in court that Smith admitted the buyer wanted the girl for her “eyes and skin.” Authorities believe the motive behind the sale was to fund the trio's drug habits.
Judge Nathan Erasmus said Smith had shown “no indication of remorse” and called her “manipulative.”
He told the court, “I am also ordering the entry of your names to the child protection register. There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming and deserving of a lesser sentence than the harshest I can impose.”
Joshlin's body has not been found, despite a months-long search that has since expanded beyond South Africa’s borders. During the initial investigation, a government minister offered a one-million-rand ($54,000) reward for her safe return.
Witnesses, including a pastor and the girl’s former teacher, testified that Smith spoke about selling her daughter as early as 2023.
Her grandmother, Amanda Smith Daniels, was present for the verdict and wore a white shirt bearing images of her granddaughter.
South Africa continues to struggle with high crime rates, including child kidnappings.
Police data from the past year reported over 17,000 kidnappings, an 11 percent increase from the year before.
