Cape Town – Minister of Sport, Art and Culture Gayton McKenzie has strongly condemned Kelly Smith, the mother of missing child Joshlin Smith, after she was sentenced to life imprisonment for kidnapping and trafficking her daughter.
Smith was convicted alongside Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis and Steven van Rhyn by the Western Cape High Court.
Joshlin has been missing since 19 February 2024 and remains unfound.
In a Facebook Live, McKenzie, who joined the initial search efforts in Saldanha Bay, accused Kelly of being “a dark person” and said he knew she was guilty based on his past experiences.
Watch the video below, as the minister speaks:
@l_keezy021 Gayton McKenzie talks about Kelly Smith, Boeta Appollis and Steveno Van Rhyn getting life in prison for selling Joshlin #southafricatiktok #joshlinsmith #joslinsmith #kellysmith #cwecwe #latestnews #incaseyoumissedit #gaytonmckenzie #southafricantiktok🇿🇦 #fyp #fypageシ #fypp #foryoupage ♬ original sound – L_Keezy021
He praised the court and community for achieving justice and vowed to continue the search for Joslin.
McKenzie believes Smith may soon confess, noting the psychological impact of prison.
He also announced the launch of a foundation in Joslin’s honour, aimed at supporting families of missing children and assisting Joslin’s siblings with schooling.
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Picture: X/@MinisterMcK
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
