Joslin Smith’s Disappearance: South African Mother Accused of Kidnapping Rejects Bail Plea
The mother of a missing six-year-old girl in South Africa, facing charges of trafficking and kidnapping, has abandoned her bail request along with her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and another suspect. The case involves the disappearance of Joslin, who went missing outside her home in Saldanha Bay near Cape Town last month. During a court appearance, Phumza Sigaqa, initially accused in the case, had her charges dropped due to a lack of evidence. The atmosphere outside the court turned tense as angry crowds threatened violence if the suspects were released.
Local media had reported that Kelly Smith instructed her boyfriend and another accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000). However, prosecutors stated there is no evidence linking her to the child’s disappearance at this stage. Protests outside the court expressed support for Ms. Sigaqa, believing she was unfairly implicated.
The disappearance of Joslin has sparked widespread concern and a vigorous search effort, involving drones, the navy, and sniffer dogs. Despite these efforts, the girl remains missing. Recently, bloodied clothes were discovered in an open field, prompting authorities to conduct DNA testing.
The case has left the community demanding justice and answers. South Africa faces a notable issue of missing children, with one child reported missing every five hours on average. While most missing children are eventually found, the high frequency of such cases underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in addressing child safety and security.
