Saldanha Bay – In a powerful moment of justice, the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, Kelly Smith, along with Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, have been sentenced to life imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping.
Judge Nathan Erasmus handed down the judgment at a packed White City multipurpose centre, temporarily declared a High Court for this highly publicized trial.
As the sentences were read out, the courtroom erupted in applause and cheers from Saldanha Bay residents who had gathered in large numbers to witness the outcome.
Judge Erasmus stated he found no mitigating factors for any of the accused and confirmed that all three will be added to the national child protection register.
While their legal teams have the option to appeal, the weight of the evidence and the seriousness of the crimes led to a firm and final judgment – one many in the community say they’ve been waiting for since Joshlin’s disappearance shocked the nation.
