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No Mercy for Joshlin’s Traffickers: Appeal Bid Dismissed in High Court

Published

3 weeks ago

August 14, 2025

Chiraag

Joshlin Smith trafficking case, Western Cape High Court, Kelly Smith appeal, Boeta Appollis sentence, Steveno van Rhyn conviction, Saldanha child trafficking, 2025 court ruling, Joburg ETC

More than a year since six-year-old Joshlin Smith vanished from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha, the Western Cape High Court has made it clear that justice, at least in part, is being served.

Appeal Refused for Convicted Trio

The three people convicted in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance (her mother, Kelly Smith; her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis; and co-accused Steveno van Rhyn) have officially been denied leave to appeal their convictions and sentencing. The ruling was handed down by Judge Nathan Erasmus on Wednesday, 14 August 2025.

All three were sentenced in May 2025 to life imprisonment plus 10 years each for human trafficking and kidnapping. They are currently serving their sentences.

Erasmus was unflinching in his decision. He said the court had made its findings based on credible witness testimony, circumstantial evidence, and firsthand observations of the accused throughout the trial.

“There is no basis for an appeal,” he said, rejecting the bid entirely. He was particularly clear that the severity of the sentence was appropriate, given the absence of remorse and the gravity of the offence, a child trafficked for R20,000.

Lourentia Lombaard: The Key Witness

A pivotal moment in the case came when Lourentia Lombaard, who had initially been charged alongside the trio, turned State witness under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Act. By providing full testimony, she was granted indemnity from prosecution relating to the trafficking and kidnapping charges.

Her evidence was damning.

Lombaard told the court that Joshlin was sold for R20,000 and broke down the chilling way in which the adults had allegedly planned the child’s disappearance. She claimed that Kelly Smith promised to pay her R1,000, with R1,200 to Steveno, and that the rest of the money would be split between herself and Appollis.

Even more disturbing was her claim that she witnessed Joshlin being loaded into a vehicle with a woman on the day she went missing, 19 February 2024.

Lombaard’s testimony stunned the courtroom and played a central role in the outcome of the case. Judge Erasmus explicitly stated that her cooperation granted her full immunity from prosecution in this matter.

Community Outrage and Lingering Pain

The town of Saldanha Bay has not been the same since the day Joshlin disappeared. With her face etched into national headlines, missing posters, and social media campaigns, her absence continues to haunt the community and the country.

While the court’s ruling closes one chapter, many are still asking the most important question: Where is Joshlin?

The child’s body has never been recovered. Despite the convictions and now the failed appeal, the reality remains that a young girl vanished without a trace, and the full truth may still be out there.

On social media, South Africans responded to the judgment with a mixture of relief and anger. Many praised the court for standing firm on its sentence, while others called for renewed efforts to find Joshlin, dead or alive.

A Tragic Case, A Firm Ruling

The dismissal of the appeal sends a clear message. The courts will not tolerate crimes involving child trafficking, especially when committed by those entrusted with the child’s care.

But for Joshlin’s extended family, neighbours, and a heartbroken nation, the pain is far from over. Justice may have spoken, but closure remains elusive.