Kelly Smith’s mother, who is also Joslin Smith’s maternal grandmother, has voiced her anger and frustration over the ongoing mystery of her missing granddaughter’s whereabouts.
This follows the conviction of the Saldanha Bay woman and two others for child trafficking and kidnapping.
More than a year has passed since the six-year-old vanished from outside her tin shack in Diazville, Middelpos, and she remains missing.
KELLY SMITH, CO-ACCUSED CONVICTED OF KIDNAPPING, TRAFFICKING
On Friday, 2 May, Western High Court judge Nathan Erasmus found that the state had proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Kelly Smith – the mother of Joslin Smith – was the “mastermind” of her daughter’s disappearance on 19 February 2024.
The mother of three and her co-accused, boyfriend Jacquin Appollis and pal Steveno van Rhyn, were found guilty of kidnapping and child trafficking.
Kelly was accused of conspiring to sell Joslin for R20 000 to allegedly fuel a drug habit. She reportedly promised a portion to Appollis, van Rhyn, and a fourth accused, Lourentia Lombaard, who turned state witness late last year.
Days after her disappearance, Kelly Smith allegedly bragged that Joslin would “make her famous”. Months before, she claimed that the community of Diazville would be “turned into a movie scene”.
‘WHY DIDN’T YOU TESTIFY?’
Delivering his verdict, Judge Nathan Erasmus admonished Kelly Smith for being nonchalant following the disappearance of Joslin Smith.
“This lack of emotion was indisputable. Her behaviour, along with Appollis’, was far from what we expected from a concerned parent. It indicates that they were aware of what happened to Joslin”.
Judge Erasmus also admonished Kelly Smith for not testifying during the trial.
“You had a right to silence, but there comes a time when the evidence is such a nature that there is a need for answers. Why didnt you come tell the court? Common sense prevails”, he added.
JOSLIN’S GRANDMOTHER SPEAKS
Meanwhile, Kelly Smith’s mother, Amanda Daniel-Smith, lashed out at her daughter for not disclosing where Joslin was.
She told reporters after the verdict was delivered: “I don’t know where my grandchild is, I just want her back. There’s nothing else. It doesn’t matter how long they are going to sit in jail, but my grandchild is still gone.
“She must tell me where my grandchild is. I am angry. Nobody knows if Joslin is still, and I don’t want to see her if she knows where the child is”.