Trial of Missing South African Girl Joshlin Smith Uncovers…

Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old girl missing since February 2024, is at the center of a trial where her mother and accomplices are accused of kidnapping and trafficking. Allegations have surfaced indicating that a traditional healer sought Joshlin for her eyes and skin. The trial is revealing shocking details surrounding her disappearance and the motivations behind it.

The case of Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old South African girl who vanished in February 2024, is currently under scrutiny in a trial involving her mother, Kelly Smith, and two others. They face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. Allegations suggest that a traditional healer desired Joshlin for her eyes and fair skin, a chilling detail revealed in court during this ongoing trial in Saldanha Bay.

Initial reports indicated that Kelly Smith left her daughter in the care of her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, when Joshlin went missing. However, prosecutors claim that Smith may have sold her daughter and later fabricated the circumstances surrounding the disappearance. The police were reportedly notified over six hours after Joshlin was first noticed missing, raising concerns about the timeline of events.

During the proceedings, testimonies indicated that Kelly Smith might have previously expressed intentions to sell her children for monetary gain. A local pastor claimed she spoke of selling her children for at least 20,000 rand ($1,100, £850) each. Furthermore, a teacher alleged that Kelly stated her daughter was already “on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa.”

Lourentia Lombaard, a neighbor and friend of Kelly, testified in detail over three days about events leading up to Joshlin’s disappearance. Lombaard claimed Smith confessed to selling her child to a sangoma, a traditional healer. She also recounted witnessing Smith prepare Joshlin’s belongings before departing with an unknown woman, whom Lombaard believed to be the sangoma.

Lombaard’s disclosures included a shocking remark alleging that the individual who took Joshlin sought her for her “eyes and skin.” The motivations behind such desires were not elaborated in the trial. While another woman, suspected to be a traditional healer, was initially arrested alongside Smith, the charges against her were dropped due to insufficient evidence.

Sangomas, traditional healers in South Africa, are legitimized under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007. Nevertheless, there are concerns regarding fraudulent practitioners who exploit these cultural practices for illicit purposes. Lombaard expressed regret for not being able to prevent the alleged sale and appealed for the return of Joshlin, urging her captors to bring her back alive as the trial continues until the end of March 2024.

The trial concerning Joshlin Smith’s disappearance unveils disturbing allegations pertaining to human trafficking and the involvement of traditional practices. As details unfold, the role of Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, and their friend raises serious questions about the extent of illegality involved. With ongoing testimonies and a focus on cultural implications, the case exemplifies the complexities surrounding traditional healing and its potential exploitation. The search for Joshlin continues amidst the legal proceedings.

Original Source: www.bbc.com