Mother Faces Trial for Alleged Kidnapping of Six-Year-Old Daughter in South Africa

The trial of a mother accused of orchestrating the kidnapping of her six-year-old daughter, who vanished over a year ago in South Africa, has begun.

Kelly Smith, along with her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were arrested following the disappearance of Smith’s daughter, Joshlin, from outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, in February last year.

Joshlin’s disappearance sparked nationwide concern, and despite an extensive search, she has not been found.

All three defendants have denied charges of human trafficking and kidnapping.

Initially, Ms. Smith claimed that Joshlin went missing while under the care of Mr. Appollis. However, prosecutors later alleged that she had “sold, delivered, or exchanged” her daughter and deliberately misled authorities about her disappearance.

The case took a significant turn when Lorentia Lombaard, a former co-accused and friend of Ms. Smith, became a state witness, according to South Africa’s Daily Maverick news site.

The high-profile search for Joshlin even caught the attention of Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie, who offered a reward of one million rand (£42,500; $54,000) for her safe return.

The trial, scheduled from March 3 to March 28, is being held at the Saldanha multi-purpose center, which has been temporarily converted into a high court. A judge previously stated that the venue was chosen to ensure the local community has access to the proceedings throughout the trial.