House of Horror: Inside the Tin Shack Where Joslin Smith Lived

For the first time, South Africans have been given a glimpse into the heartbreaking conditions in which little Joslin Smith lived before she went missing. The young girl, who was allegedly sold by her mother, Kelly Smith, lived in a tiny tin shack in Middelpos, Diazville, with her family.

Inside Joslin Smith’s Home
A viral TikTok video by user @vvviralv has provided a look inside the cramped and rundown shack where Joslin lived. The makeshift home, constructed from tin and wood, had just one small window and was surrounded by filth, rubbish, and muddy terrain.

Inside, the shack was in a state of disarray, with dirt-covered floors and overturned furniture. Joslin shared the home with her mother, Kelly Smith, her older brother, younger sister, and her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis.

According to local residents, Joslin’s older brother was often seen fetching clean water from a nearby tap, while their mother relied on food parcels and donations from the community to survive. Despite these struggles, the little girl’s tragic disappearance has exposed a darker reality—claims that she was sold to fund her mother’s drug addiction.

Allegations of Child Trafficking
Kelly Smith, along with Boeta Appollis and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, has been accused of selling Joslin to a sangoma (traditional healer) for R20,000 to support their drug habit. They have all pleaded not guilty to charges of child trafficking and kidnapping.

In the past two weeks, the High Court has heard chilling testimonies from witnesses, including a former accused who alleged that Kelly willingly exchanged her daughter for money. The case has sparked outrage across South Africa, with many calling for justice for Joslin.

Court Visit and Community Anger
As part of the court proceedings, Kelly Smith and her co-accused were taken back to the shack during an in-loco inspection of the scene where Joslin went missing. Judge Nathan Erasmus, along with prosecutors and the defense team, walked through the area while SAPS Captain Wesley Lombard detailed the events surrounding the child’s disappearance.

The visit was met with fury from the local community. A heavy police presence was required to control the angry crowd, who hurled insults at Kelly and demanded answers about Joslin’s whereabouts. In a video shared online, one woman could be heard shouting, “You pig! Tell the people where your child is! You dirty dog! You’re not a mother!” Another voice pleaded, “Where is Joslin? Your child is looking for you, she misses you.”

A Shocking Reality
The living conditions inside Joslin’s home paint a tragic picture of neglect and hardship. With the case still unfolding, the country remains hopeful that the truth about Joslin’s fate will soon come to light.

Do you have any thoughts on the conditions in which Joslin was forced to live? Share your opinions in the comments below or message us via WhatsApp at 060 011 0211.

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