Rev June Dolley‑Major says Kelly Smith is studying, sewing and modelling in prison as new Saldanha evidence emerges

According to IOL, search activist Rev June Dolley‑Major has revealed fresh evidence recovered in searches of the Saldanha dunes and described recent visits with Kelly Smith, who is being detained at the Worcester Female Correctional Centre. Dolley‑Major told IOL that Smith said she hopes to launch an appeal and that she is taking up studies and activities while incarcerated.

New items recovered from Saldanha dunes

According to IOL, Rev June Dolley‑Major called for renewed forensic testing and a thorough search of the Saldanha dunes after she revealed several items that have been verified as belonging to Joshlin Smith were found during searches that followed the court case.

Visits to Kelly Smith and her responses

According to IOL, Dolley‑Major said she visited Kelly Smith at the Worcester Female Correctional Centre as recently as three weeks ago. Dolley‑Major quoted Smith as telling her:

“I know nothing”

and said Smith is “hoping to get an appeal.”

According to IOL, Dolley‑Major said she carried out a spiritual visit at Smith’s request, providing prayer and communion during that visit.

Yellow ribbon and changes in Smith’s demeanour

According to IOL, Dolley‑Major said a yellow ribbon, believed to belong to Joshlin, was found in the dunes with a bloodstain. Dolley‑Major described how mentioning the ribbon during a visit caused Smith to go pale and shake, and quoted Smith relaying a remark attributed to Jacquen Appollis: “Maar Boeta het gesê sy het nie ‘n lint aan gehad nie” (Boeta said she wasn’t wearing a ribbon).

Prison tensions and investigator report

According to IOL, Dolley‑Major said a private investigator had visited Smith and told her that Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were fighting in prison. Dolley‑Major said the investigator reported Steveno had said he was not going to “sit for life in prison for something Boeta did.”

According to IOL, Appollis and van Rhyn are being detained at Brandvlei Prison.

Smith’s plans and activities while detained

According to IOL, Dolley‑Major told the publication that Smith aspires to enter the education sector and wants to study education from prison. Dolley‑Major also told IOL that Smith has taken up sewing and modelling while incarcerated.

Case background (reported earlier)

According to IOL, Joshlin Smith, then six and a Grade 1 pupil at Diazville Primary School, was last seen just after 5pm at her home in Middelpos on February 19, 2024. A month later, Kelly Smith, Appollis and van Rhyn were arrested. On May 2, 2025, they were convicted on charges of kidnapping and trafficking in persons and, on May 29, 2025, were sentenced to life imprisonment for trafficking and an additional 10 years for kidnapping.