Raquel ‘Kelly’ Chantel Smith, the mother of the missing six-year-old Joshlin who disappeared from their home in Saldanha more than a month ago, is expecting another child while she awaits trial in prison.
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Smith, along with her boyfriend Jacquin ‘Boeta’ Appollis, friend Steveno van Rhyn, and neighbour Lourentia ‘Renz’ Lombaard have been arrested and charged with human trafficking and kidnapping in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance.
Allegations suggest that Smith left Joshlin in Appollis’s care on 19 February while she went to work, but the child has not been found despite extensive searches.
As reported by The Citizen, Senior advocate Aradhana Heeramun, representing the state in court, claims that Smith instructed Appollis and Van Rhyn to sell Joshlin to another person in Middelpos for a sum of R20,000 for ritual purposes. This disturbing revelation came after a 36-hour interrogation at Saldanha Police Station where the two men confessed.
Reverend June Dolley-Major, who has been actively involved in the search for Joshlin, told Rapport that Smith is pregnant again. Initially hesitant to share the news, Dolley-Major decided to inform prison authorities following an attack on Smith in jail.
Reports indicate that Smith was assaulted shortly after she arrived at Pollsmoor Prison on 7 March. Various sources within the Department of Correctional Services and the prison itself confirmed that Smith was attacked by fellow inmates in the women’s awaiting trial section. As a result, she has been placed in solitary confinement, with only senior wardens permitted to interact with her.
The case is postponed to 25 March for bail application.
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Joshlin Smith update: Fifth suspect confessed, prosecutor tells court
Picture: @ActionSocietySA / X