South African Mother Sentenced to Life for Selling Daughter to Healer

A South African woman, Racquel "Kelly" Smith, has been sentenced to life in prison for the kidnapping and trafficking of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith. Smith was convicted alongside her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and friend, Steveno van Rhyn, following a trial that lasted six weeks and garnered significant public attention. Joshlin disappeared near her home in Saldanha Bay, close to Cape Town, in February 2024. Despite extensive search efforts, the child has not been located. Testimonies during the trial included harrowing details that underscored the severity of the crime, leading to the life sentences imposed on all three defendants, according to BBC News. The case has sparked widespread outrage and heartache within South Africa, highlighting ongoing concerns about child safety and trafficking in the country. Officials have not disclosed any information about the whereabouts of Joshlin since her disappearance, and the investigation remains open as authorities continue their search for the missing girl.

A recent investigation by the BBC has revealed disturbing accounts of child sex abuse within South Africa's illegal mining industry. The report, featuring testimonies from former miners, highlights the vulnerability of children trafficked for labor and sexual exploitation in abandoned gold mines. Jonathan, a former miner, recounted witnessing minors as young as 15 being coerced into sex in exchange for gold, fearing reprisals from criminal gangs that control these operations. Mining researcher Makhotla Sefuli corroborated these claims, stating that many children are abducted from neighboring countries under false employment promises and receive little protection upon arrival. The situation escalated last year when dozens of illegal miners were trapped underground near Stilfontein, leading to the discovery of 31 minors among them, predominantly from Mozambique. Save the Children South Africa emphasized the trauma suffered by these children, including constant sexual exploitation. Authorities have initiated operations to combat illegal mining, but with an estimated 6,000 vacant mines available, the threat to vulnerable children persists, leaving them at continued risk for abuse, according to reports.

A recent investigation by the BBC reveals alarming instances of child sexual abuse within South Africa's illegal mining industry, where children are often trafficked for cheap labor and sexual exploitation. Testimonies from Jonathan, a former miner who worked underground for six months, highlight the rampant abuse faced by vulnerable minors, some as young as 15, who are coerced into sex by adult miners in exchange for gold or protection in these dangerous environments. According to mining researcher Makhotla Sefuli, criminal gangs deliberately target children, often abducting them from neighboring countries with false promises of legitimate employment. Many of these children end up having their identities hidden, making it difficult for authorities to track their cases. The Department of Social Development has confirmed that among the rescued miners from the Stilfontein mine – where a police operation recently aimed to curb illegal activities – 31 were found to be children, mostly from Mozambique. Charity Save the Children South Africa reports that the psychological trauma suffered by these minors is profound, as they witness and endure exploitation by adults in the mines. Despite continuing investigations, authorities have not issued statements regarding potential charges against those responsible for the sexual abuse of these minors.