Woman taken in for questioning after Kelly Smith's house burned to the ground
The incident occurred on Friday night, just hours after Kelly Smith was convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking following her daughter, Joshlin's disappearance.
Kelly Smith in the Western Cape High Court sitting in the Saldanha Bay Multi-Purpose Centre on 09 April 2025. Picture: Kayleen Morgan /EWN
CAPE TOWN - Police have confirmed one woman has been taken in for questioning following the torching of the Middelpos home of missing girl, Joshlin Smith.
The incident occurred on Friday night, just hours after Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith was convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking – in a case that has shocked the nation.
Smith was found guilty of both charges alongside two co-accused, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn.
It’s believed the trio sold the child for a fee.
Six years old at the time, Joshlin disappeared from her home in Saldanha Bay in February 2024 and is yet to be found.
Police spokesperson Malcolm Poje confirmed a case of arson was under investigation.
“We can confirm SAPS [South African Police Service] registered an arson case for further investigation after Kelly Smith’s Middelpos dwelling was destroyed by a fire. A female has been taken in for questioning regarding the fire.”
Meanwhile, Kelly Smith and her co accused, Appollis and van Rhyn are being held in custody for a week before sentencing procedures begin.
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#BREAKINGNEWS : KELLY SMITHS , THE MOTHER OF JOSHLIN SMITH HOUSE BURNED DOWN BY GANGSTERS #MAKEKASIGREAT pic.twitter.com/sNsqGiReDn
— KASIBCNEWS (@kasibc_news) May 2, 2025