Joslin Smith Case: Heartbreaking Testimony Reveals Alleged Sale for Ritual Purposes
The disappearance of six-year-old Joslin Smith took a dark turn as shocking new details emerged during court proceedings. A key witness, Laurentia “Renz” Lombaard, testified that Joslin’s own mother allegedly sold the child for ritual purposes involving her eyes and skin.
The testimony was heard at the Western Cape High Court, temporarily set up at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay, on Monday, 17 March. Lombaard, initially an accused in the case, has since turned state witness.
Facing charges of human trafficking are Joslin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Rowhan Apollis, and their friend Steveno Dumaizio Duwayne Van Rhyn. All three pleaded not guilty to violating the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act.
According to Lombaard, she confronted Kelly about why Joslin had been taken. Kelly allegedly admitted that a person was interested in Joslin specifically for her eyes and skin. “She said the person searching for Joslin wanted her for her eyes and skin,” Lombaard told the court.
Lombaard further alleged that Kelly received R20,000 in exchange for Joslin and promised her R1,000 to stay silent. An additional R1,200 was supposedly meant for Van Rhyn, who was aware of the transaction. However, Lombaard claims she never followed up on the money and never received any payment.
In a chilling moment, Lombaard recalled Kelly openly showing Apollis the cash she had received. “Here is the money the sangoma gave me,” Kelly allegedly said. She then turned to Lombaard and confessed, “Renz, I started a bad thing. I have now sold my child to a sangoma.”
Further testimony came from Kelly’s sister, Mickeyla Daniels, a police officer based in Upington, Northern Cape. Daniels shared her concern over Joslin’s disappearance and described a conversation with Kelly. At first, Kelly assured her that Joslin would be found. However, the conversation took a disturbing turn when Kelly said, “My child is here in the informal settlement, and someone wants to sell my child, but Saldanha is currently a hotspot.”
When Daniels pressed for more information, Kelly refused to elaborate. “I know you’re a police officer, but I’m not going to answer these questions again,” she reportedly said.
Lombaard told the court that she later confronted Kelly, questioning how she could sell her own child for money. Kelly allegedly broke down and admitted, “I was suffering, I needed the money.” Despite Lombaard’s attempts to convince her otherwise, Kelly responded coldly, “It’s done, and I can’t do anything about it.”
This chilling testimony has left many horrified, raising more questions about the events leading to little Joslin’s disappearance. The court proceedings continue as the community of Saldanha Bay and the nation watch closely, hoping for justice in a case that has exposed the dark realities of human trafficking.
The trial is ongoing, with the prosecution seeking to uncover the full extent of the alleged crime and the roles played by each accused.
