Joshlin Smith: Human trafficking expert among witnesses lined up for sentencing proceedings
Sentencing proceedings will begin on 27 May, with sentencing expected to be handed down on the 29th.
(From left) Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Kelly Smith appeared in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on 9 May 2025. Picture: Lauren Isaacs/EWN
CAPE TOWN - A human trafficking expert is among witnesses being lined up for sentencing proceedings in the Joshlin Smith trafficking case.
The girl's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis and his friend, Steveno van Rhyn, have been found guilty of selling the then six year old to a sangoma for R20,000 in Saldanha Bay in February last year.
On Friday, they made a 15-minute appearance in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town, where a plan for sentencing proceedings was mapped out, with the matter returning to Saldanha Bay on 27 May.
Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn are being detained at Pollsmoor Prison until their return to the high court in Cape Town on 23 May.
The matter will then be transferred back to the multi-purpose centre in Saldanha Bay, where the eight-week-long trial was heard.
Sentencing proceedings will begin on 27 May, with sentencing expected to be handed down on the 29th.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)'s Eric Ntabazalila said that during arguments in mitigation and aggravation of sentence, the State would lead evidence on victim impact statements compiled by a social worker.
"We will have members of the community affected by this case to see how it has impacted on them and then after that we will call an expert on trafficking in persons."
The defence has not yet indicated whether it will call any witnesses.
Ntabazalila added that there was still no new information in the search for the missing girl.
"Even at the last appearance, at the conviction stage, when we argued, we even mentioned that she is still missing and the appeal is still ongoing that anyone who has any information must come forward, the investigation is still open, the police and the prosecutors have emphasised that the number one prize is to get Joshlin, possibly still alive, so that investigation is still open and nothing new has come up."