A racket in South African women’s racing industry was found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith.
The racket was convicted along with boyfriend Jacquen’Boeta’Appollis, whose friend Steveno’Steffie’Van Rhyn was held on Friday, May 2, 2025 in the Western Cape High Court.
Judge Nathan Erasmus said: “The state has successfully proved the guilt of Appollis, Van Rhyn and Ms. Smith.”
“Just count” – You are guilty of trafficking in persons. Count two – You committed abduction. ”
The court ruled that Joshlin Smith was deprived of freedom.
Erasmus made a highly anticipated verdict at the White City Multifunction Center in Diazville, which shocked the West Coast community and attracted national attention.
Erasmus says he will not process Section 204 application now – This means that he will not make a judgment on state witness Laurentia ‘Renz’Lombard at this moment.
The court accepted the main evidence of Lombaard, who testified the defendant.
Erasmus said Joshlin was indeed exchanged, and cheers broke out in the public gallery.
Speaking in Appollis, Van Rhyn and Kelly Smith, Erasmus said it was illegal to deprive Joshlin of freedom and restrict freedom of movement.
Joshlin was reportedly missing at her Middelpos home on February 19, 2024. Her disappearance sparked a massive pursuit and a months-long investigation, leading to the arrest of three people.
State Representative Zelda Swanepoel told the court Friday that Appollis and Van Rhyn had previously convicted, but Kelly did not.
With the news of their beliefs, Kelly’s joint deliberation sat in doubt and began to cry.
The public sitting in the gallery cheered loudly. Erasmus also said he did not mind whether the Southern Police Department allowed relatives to talk to the defendant before he left.
The matter has been postponed until May 9 to the Western Cape High Court building in Cape Town. Their attorney will decide whether to call witnesses.
Erasmus confirmed that the matter will be taken back to Saldanha for verdict.
The three are expected to be remanded before the judgment proceedings. The public response outside the venue was thrilling, with some families crying and others applauding the ruling.
In the external court of the Western Cape Police Commissioner, they leaned against General Pat Kieler, saying that the search for Joshlin has not stopped and the police will continue to search for the green-eyed girl.
