Cape Town – In the ongoing case of missing girl Joshlin Smith, her mother Kelly Smith and two co-accused — Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn — are awaiting sentencing on Thursday after being convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking.
During court proceedings on Wednesday, emotional victim impact statements were read, causing Kelly and her family to break down in tears.
Statements from Joshlin’s Grade 1 teacher, grandmother Amanda Daniels, and others described the deep emotional toll of the child’s disappearance.
A poem by Joshlin’s teenage friend and a heartfelt video of the child intensified the emotional atmosphere, leading to a brief adjournment when Kelly sobbed uncontrollably.
The court heard how the disappearance affected classmates, community members, and especially the family — with the grandmother harshly condemning Kelly for the pain caused.
Watch the proceedings below (Courtesy of SABC News)
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
