South African Mother Sentenced to Life After Selling 6-Year-Old Daughter to Witch Doctor

A South African mother has been sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of trafficking and kidnapping her six-year-old daughter, who remains missing.

Joshlin Smith disappeared in February 2024 from outside her home in Saldanha Bay, a town near Cape Town. Though the young girl has yet to be found, her mother — Racquel “Kelly” Smith — her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and a friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were all found guilty of trafficking Joshlin to a sangoma, a traditional healer, in exchange for money.

According to court testimony reported by the BBC, the sangoma allegedly wanted Joshlin “for her eyes and skin.”

Disturbing Testimony from Over 30 Witnesses

More than 30 witnesses took the stand during the eight-week trial, held at the White City Multipurpose Centre. One neighbor and friend, Lourentia Lombaard, testified that Smith confessed to selling Joshlin for 20,000 rand — roughly $1,100.

Lombaard recalled Smith saying, “The person who took Joshlin wanted her for her eyes and skin.”

A local pastor also claimed he heard Smith discussing selling her children as far back as 2023, quoting her as saying she’d accept anywhere from $275 to $1,100.

Joshlin’s teacher testified that Smith once claimed the child was “inside a shipping container” and “on her way to West Africa.”

Judge Hands Down Life Sentences

On May 29, Judge Nathan Erasmus sentenced all three defendants — Smith, Appollis, and van Rhyn — to life in prison.

“In regard to the human trafficking charge, each of you is sentenced to life imprisonment,” he said. “On the kidnapping charge, you are sentenced to 10 years.”

Judge Erasmus emphasized there was “no distinction” in guilt among the three, holding them equally responsible.

Joshlin Still Missing

Despite the sentencing, the search for Joshlin continues.

Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile said, “We will not rest until we find out what happened to Joshlin. Our teams continue to search day and night.”

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) issued a statement saying the sentence confirms that Joshlin was “sold and delivered to the intended buyer” for the purpose of “exploitation, namely slavery or practices similar to slavery.”