Warning: This article contains details that some readers may find upsetting
An emotional video shown in court of a missing girl laughing has been explained after her mum sold her to a 'healer' for £800.
The mother of Joshlin Smith, who disappeared in February 2024, was sentenced to life on Thursday (29 May) for the kidnapping and trafficking of the six-year-old.
Joshlin was last seen at her home in Saldanha Bay, South Africa, and her disappearance has been likened to the unsolved missing persons case of Madeleine McCann.
Joshlin Smith's mother is sentenced to life
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Her mum Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, along with her boyfriend and another man, were sentenced to life behind in prison. All three were convicted on kidnapping and human trafficking charges.
Although the judge wasn't able to confirm who the child was sold to or exactly what happened to her, it was thought that Joshlin may have been sold to a traditional healer, or 'sangoma,' who allegedly wanted her for ritual purposes.
During the eight-week trial, prosecutors said Smith sold her child because she was a drug addict in need of the money.
A local pastor testified that he heard Smith talk of selling her children for 20,000 rand (£850) each, but would be happy in accepting a much a lower figure.
Another woman said to the court that Smith had sold Joshlin for around £800 to a traditional healer, who allegedly wanted the child for her 'eyes and skin' (via the BBC).
Emotional video of Joshlin Smith is shown in court
The BBC further reported that family friend Natasha Andrews testified that she'd looked after Joshlin when Smith went into rehab.
Claiming that she and her husband wanted to adopt her, Andrews insisted: "We could have provided for her better than her mother."
She claimed that the plans to adopt her in 2018 didn't go through because Smith 'wouldn't agree'. However, the court heard that Joshlin would still visit the Andrews family on weekends and go on holidays with them.
An emotional clip of Joshlin laughing was shown in court as part of her victim statement, and it was believed to have been from one of the holidays she went on with the Andrews family.
The BBC reported that 'even the court interpreter could not hold back her tears as she translated the victim impact statements into English'.
"We just want to hug you again," Andrews said in her victim statement. "You are our flower, our baby and our green-eyed child."
The search for Joshlin Smith is ongoing
It comes after Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile told local media that they are still on the lookout for the young girl.
"We will not rest until we find [out] what happened to Joshlin. We are continuing day and night looking for her," Patekile said.
"While no sentence can erase the pain caused by the heartbreaking disappearance of young Joshlin, this outcome offers a measure of closure and sends a powerful message: crimes against our most vulnerable citizens will not go unpunished.
"The search for Joshlin remains active, and SAPS is fully committed to exploring every possible lead in this tragic matter."
Topics: Crime, World News
Anish Vij