South African Woman Convicted for Kidnapping and Selling Her Daughter

In a disturbing case from South Africa, Racquel "Kelly" Smith was sentenced to life in prison on May 29, 2025, for selling her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith, who went missing in February 2024. Alongside her were her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn, both also receiving life sentences for kidnapping and human trafficking. Initially seen as a victim, Smith’s narrative changed as police investigations uncovered her involvement in the crime. Testimonies revealed that she reportedly sold her daughter to a traditional healer for around $1,000, allegedly seeking her eyes and fair complexion. The judge, Nathan Erasmus, described Smith as manipulative and lacking remorse, emphasizing the severe nature of the crime. This tragic incident took place in a context of rising kidnappings in South Africa, which saw over 17,000 cases in the 2023/2024 financial year, marking an 11% increase from the previous year, according to police data. The court's verdict was met with cheers from attendees, including Joshlin’s grandmother, highlighting the community's demand for justice.

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.