Cape Town – The woman accused of setting fire to the shack belonging to Racquel “Kelly” Smith, mother of missing child Joshlin Smith, has been granted bail.
Monique Kekana, 27, appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday for the second time, facing an arson charge linked to the 2 May fire in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay.
The shack was destroyed just hours after Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacques “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with the child’s disappearance.
Kekana handed herself over to police and was initially arrested on 5 May.
Monique Kekana the woman accused of setting Kelly Smith’s house on fire, says she did it for all the mothers. She says Kelly should open her heart and say where Joshlin is. Stay tuned to #eNCA channel #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/xU1fvBpeZN
— eNCA (@eNCA) May 12, 2025
The court heard she had no prior convictions or outstanding warrants.
She was released on R500 bail, with the case postponed to 27 June.
Speaking to media outside court, Kekana admitted to setting the shack alight, citing emotional distress and frustration over Kelly Smith’s silence during her trial.
She said she acted on behalf of “all the mothers” and expressed no regrets.
“She knows where the child is and she knows the child is not dead. I just wanted to open her mouth because we are also mothers.
“So I did it because I’m also a mother. I was also arrested, but I learned from my mistake,” Kekana said.
Joshlin Smith was reported missing on 19 February 2024.
Her mother and the two co-accused are expected to be sentenced on 29 May.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
