In a shocking revelation during the trial of three individuals accused of kidnapping and human trafficking, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, mother of the missing Joshlin Smith, told her child’s Grade 1 teacher that a Nigerian man had informed her that her daughter was being transported in a container to West Africa.
The testimony, given by teacher Edna Maart, detailed a conversation she had with Smith just days after Joshlin’s disappearance on 23 February 2024. Maart recalled being surprised when Smith unexpectedly entered her car at a petrol station. Smith allegedly told her that she had received a call from a Nigerian man who informed her that Joshlin was in a container on a boat heading to West Africa. When asked how she knew the caller was Nigerian, Smith reportedly did not answer.
Smith also allegedly told the teacher, ‘Just remember, Boeta is innocent,’ a statement Maart interpreted as a reference to Smith’s boyfriend, Jacquin ‘Boeta’ Appollis, who is co-accused in the case.
News24 reported that the testimony stunned the courtroom, with many in the public gallery visibly reacting to the chilling details. When Maart pressed Smith about whether she had contacted authorities, Smith said she had not due to fear that the Saldanha Bay community might harm her.
A state witness, Shakiera Ganief, a TikTok personality known as Shakes Warrior, testified in court as well. She shared that she herself had been a victim of crime but chose to fight back rather than succumb to depression.
Ganief learned of Joshlin’s disappearance from another social media influencer and subsequently reached out to Kelly Smith via video call from her employer’s phone, just days after Joshlin went missing. She described the call as unsettling, feeling that Smith’s demeanour did not align with someone whose child was missing.
During the conversation, Ganief asked Smith where Joshlin was and who she had been with when she vanished. When Smith mentioned Appollis, Ganief enquired if he might have harmed Joshlin. Ganief testified that Smith became defensive and ‘aggressive’ in response. She further stated that Smith implied men were often involved in the abuse or death of female relatives.
Ganief recalled Smith telling her, ‘We don’t know Boeta, and she is actually the evil one. Whenever she hits the children, Boeta stops her.’
Ganief was confused by Smith’s behaviour, especially her aggression when asked about Joshlin or Boeta. She told Smith she planned to go to Saldanha to assist with the search, but Smith seemed unimpressed.
On Wednesday, 21 February 2024, Ganief arrived in Saldanha and met Kelly for the first time, only for Kelly to completely ignore her. Ganief stated that she and local residents searched tirelessly for Joshlin, but Kelly was not involved in any of the efforts, as reported by Ashley Rix.
‘There was a lot of tension between the community and Kelly. People felt strongly about her because, during the searches, we could never find Kelly. She wasn’t involved at all,’ Ganief said.
Ganief also shared details of a prayer gathering held on 3 March 2024, where the Temple Boys, a popular local music group, performed for the children before a sermon calling for Joshlin’s safe return. In footage shown in the courtroom, Kelly was seen dancing and laughing during the event.
Ganief recalled Kelly making an alarming comment, ‘I always wanted to be famous, but I didn’t know it would be through Joshlin.’ This remark left Ganief shocked, stating that such a thought should never cross a mother’s mind when her child is missing.
Ganief then revealed that Kelly told her to stop searching for Joshlin. ‘I asked her if she would at least help us. She said, ‘Stop looking for my child. You must stop looking for my child. The police must do their job.’’
Ganief responded, saying she would never stop looking until Joshlin was found. Gasps filled the courtroom, and police officials had to intervene to maintain order.
Smith became visibly emotional during the court proceedings and a police officer offered her tissues. Smith, along with Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, all face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking, and have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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Picture: Jaco Marais / Gallo Images
