Six-year-old Joshlin Smith from Saldanha Bay, South Africa, disappeared in February 2024, allegedly sought by a traditional healer. Her mother, Kelly Smith, and two accomplices face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. Key testimonies in the ongoing trial reveal unsettling motivations and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. The case raises significant concerns regarding the exploitation of children and traditional healing practices in society.
The disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith in February 2024 from Saldanha Bay, South Africa, has raised grave concerns, particularly as allegations arose that she was sought for her fair complexion and unique eyes by a traditional healer. Kelly Smith, Joshlin’s mother, along with her boyfriend and a friend, is facing charges of human trafficking and kidnapping, all of which they deny.
Initially, Ms. Smith claimed Joshlin went missing while in her boyfriend’s care, but prosecutors later accused her of having sold the child and being deceitful regarding her disappearance. Witnesses have provided unsettling details about the events leading to Joshlin’s disappearance, including claims that Ms. Smith waited over six hours to notify authorities.
In the trial’s second week, a local pastor testified that Ms. Smith had expressed a willingness to sell her children for money, while Joshlin’s teacher revealed Ms. Smith’s alarming statement that her daughter was “on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa.” A critical testimony came from Lourentia Lombaard, a neighbor, who alleged that Ms. Smith admitted to selling her child to a sangoma, motivated by financial desperation.
Ms. Lombaard recounted witnessing Ms. Smith preparing clothes for Joshlin and leaving with a woman she believed to be the sangoma in a white car. During her testimony, Ms. Lombaard stressed that the alleged abductor sought Joshlin for her distinctive eyes and skin, though no reason was given in court for such an interest.
The trial also highlighted the actual context of sangomas, traditional healers recognized under South African law who utilize ancestral spirits for guidance and healing, albeit with some practitioners engaging in unethical activities involving body parts for charms. Expressing regret over the incident, Ms. Lombaard urged anyone who has Joshlin to “please bring her back alive.” The trial is set to continue until March 28, 2024.
The ongoing trial of Kelly Smith and her co-defendants reveals a troubling narrative surrounding the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. Allegations point towards human trafficking and alarming motives involving traditional healing practices. With key testimonies shedding light on the circumstances of her disappearance, the case continues to unfold as the community remains hopeful for Joshlin’s safe return. The trial is a stark reminder of societal issues related to vulnerable individuals and the need for greater protection against exploitation.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
