The trial of Racquel Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, and friend Steveno van Rhyn commenced on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Saldanha Bay Multipurpose Centre, marked by high community interest due to the tragic disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith over a year ago. The trio faces serious charges of kidnapping and human trafficking concerning the young girl, who vanished under mysterious circumstances on February 19, 2024.
During the first day of the trial, all three defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Racquel Smith, often referred to as Kelly, is the mother of Joshlin, who had reportedly been under the care of her boyfriend Appollis at the time she went missing. The courtroom buzzed with anticipation, with family members and over 200 other community members present, eager for answers about Joshlin's fate.
Prosecutor advocate Zelda Swanepoel informed the accused during the proceedings of the grave nature of the charges against them. "They face life imprisonment if convicted on the count of trafficking," she explained, outlining the seriousness of their alleged actions.
The charges against them stem from disturbing claims about their intentions prior to Joshlin's disappearance. Allegations surfaced indicating Racquel Smith expressed plans to have her children taken away or sold, beginning as early as August 2023. Additional prosecutorial statements revealed troubling details, stating Smith allegedly received something from someone at the wheel of a white vehicle the day before Joshlin disappeared.
According to the indictment, on February 18, 2024, Racquel, with Joshlin and bags of clothes, left their home to meet someone associated with the planned sale of her daughter. After reporting her daughter missing the following day, the investigation led to these accusations against Smith, Appollis, and van Rhyn, connecting them to the girl’s vanishing.
Rita Yon, Joshlin's grandmother, was vocal during the trial's opening day, capturing the emotional weight of the situation. "If Kelly and her co-accused don’t want to say where Joshlin is, I want to know what happened to her. If it is she is not alive, then they must say where her body is, so we can exhume the body and give Joshlin a decent burial," she stated poignantly to reporters covering the trial. These sentiments were echoed by many residents who had participated actively in the search for Joshlin when she initially went missing, demonstrating the community’s commitment to finding closure.
Lauretta Yon, echoing the hopes of her family, urged, "I'm hoping Kelly can speak up and tell us where Joslin is," as she highlighted the need for the truth to emerge from the proceedings. Many, including other family members, expressed similar anxieties and hopes, illustrating the anguish surrounding Joshlin’s disappearance and the trial's significance for them.
The courtroom was packed with concerned locals, many of whom participated actively during the lengthy search for Joshlin. According to reports, Judge Nathan Erasmus presided over the case, emphasizing the weight of the accusations and possible consequences. The trial is slated to continue until March 28, with courtroom proceedings set to explore the twisted narratives surrounding the family and the events leading up to Joshlin's disappearance.
Onlookers hope this trial will not only seek justice for Joshlin but also reveal the truth about what transpired on the fateful day she vanished from her home. The proceedings aim to shed light on what has become one of the most high-profile kidnapping cases recent years. With community support rallying behind the family, the courtroom has become the epicenter of hope and despair alike.
The forthcoming days in court are anticipated to be pivotal, as the defense prepares to present their arguments against the prosecution's grievous allegations. The feelings of loss and uncertainty continue to loom as both community members and family anxiously await the trial's outcomes, hoping for answers to the questions surrounding Joshlin Smith's tragic case.