SALDANHA BAY – Today marks the ninth birthday of Joshlin Smith, the Saldanha girl who disappeared from her home almost three years ago. Despite her mother, mother’s boyfriend and a co-accused being jailed for life, there has still been no sign of the little girl who captured the hearts of the nation.

Joshlin, who was born on 23 October 2017, was only six years old when she vanished from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on 19 February 2024. Her whereabouts remain unknown.

The Grade 1 Diazville Primary School pupil was last seen just after 17:00 at her home. Her mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, had left Joshlin and her brother in the care of her boyfriend, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, while she went to work.

A nation mobilises

The day after her disappearance, a large search operation began. Police K9 units, residents, volunteers, drones, helicopters, boats and the South African Navy descended on the small fishing town, searching for the green-eyed girl.

By 27 February 2024, a Facebook Live appearance involving Kelly Smith generated further public attention, with a R100 000 reward offered for information leading to Joshlin’s safe return.

On 2 March 2024, then Police Minister Bheki Cele visited the area. Between 2 and 4 March, clothing suspected of bearing blood was found in an open field during searches. However, DNA testing later confirmed it did not match Joshlin’s DNA.

Arrests and charges

On 5 March 2024, four people were taken into custody: Kelly Smith, Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqa, who had been described in some reports as a traditional healer or sangoma.

Two days later, the four appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court, charged with human trafficking and kidnapping. The prosecution alleged that Joshlin had been intended for sale for R20 000.

On 13 March 2024, the State withdrew charges against Sigaqa, who was released. Kelly Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn abandoned their bail applications and remained in custody.

On 18 March 2024, a neighbour and alleged associate, Laurentia “Renze” Lombaard, appeared in connection with the case. She later abandoned her bail application and on 21 October 2024, charges against her were withdrawn when she became a Section 204 state witness, meaning she could testify for the prosecution.

Political interference

As the case unfolded, several political parties became involved.

In May 2024, the Democratic Alliance called for the Cold Case Unit to take over the investigation, with party leader John Steenhuisen accusing “political vultures” of interfering with the case.

DA member Ian Cameron stated: “It is sickening to see the political campaigns being run to gain some kind of political advantage from the life of a child.”

The Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie was accused of contaminating the investigation through interference, including claims he made fake social media posts about arrests that had not occurred.

Western Cape MEC for Community Safety Reagen Allen also condemned politicians who spread misinformation about the case, stating they had “weaponised a young girl’s tragic disappearance”.

Trial and conviction

Pre-trial proceedings began in the Western Cape High Court on 31 January 2025. The trial itself began on 3 March 2025 at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha, which was adapted for High Court proceedings.

On 2 May 2025, Kelly Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn were convicted of human trafficking and kidnapping. On 29 May 2025, the Western Cape High Court sentenced all three to life imprisonment.

The National Prosecuting Authority said the court found that Joshlin had been sold for exploitation. The court also ordered that the three names be entered in the National Child Protection Register.

The indictment alleged that Smith had discussed having her children taken or sold months earlier, and that on 18 February she and Joshlin approached a white vehicle and spoke with an unidentified woman. On 19 February, Smith allegedly packed Joshlin’s clothes, left with her, and placed her in a white vehicle.

Search continues

Despite the convictions, the search for Joshlin continues. In September this year, community activists revealed that volunteer search teams had found various items in Saldanha Bay over the past two years, including a yellow school ribbon, pieces of rope, sponge mattress material, plastic bags and clothing. Some of the items reportedly contained bloodstains.

Social justice activist June Dolley-Major claimed that traces of Smith’s DNA were found on some of the items after retired police officer Danie Krugel used the missing girl’s hair samples to test the material.

The items have been handed over to police.

Western Cape police spokesperson Andre Traut confirmed that the Joshlin Smith investigation remains an active missing persons case.

“Our priority remains to follow up every credible lead, establish the facts and ultimately find Joshlin,” Traut said.

As South Africa marks what would have been Joshlin’s ninth birthday, her whereabouts remain unknown, and much speculation continues.

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