In a chilling revelation during the sentencing proceedings of the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial, a human trafficking expert from the US has testified that little Joshlin was likely sold for exploitation as part of a premeditated plan. This assertion was made by Dr Marcel van der Watt, who has over two decades of experience in tackling human trafficking and was called upon by the court to provide insights into the disturbing nature of the case.
Joshlin, a seven-year-old girl, went missing on February 19, 2024, and has not yet been located. Her disappearance has raised concerns within the community and beyond, especially after the shocking conviction of her mother, Kelly Smith, along with accomplices Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, for human trafficking and kidnapping earlier this month.
Testifying via Microsoft Teams, Dr van der Watt presented a detailed 35-page report to the court, outlining the calculated orchestration that preceded the tragic event. The evidence revealed that Smith had devised a plan to sell her daughter as early as August 2023, highlighting a disturbing level of forethought and intent.
“This indicates significant forethought and intent, as the accused had ample time to consider and deliberate over the nature of her actions and the consequences for Joshlin,” the report stated. “This was not a spontaneous act but a calculated crime.” The expert’s analysis draws parallels with established patterns of trafficking, where victims are commodified for financial gain, often at the expense of their well-being and personal safety.
Dr van der Watt’s testimony described a common purpose among the three accused and a former co-defendant turned state witness, Laurentia Lombaard. He articulated how all parties had allegedly agreed to sell Joshlin and maintain silence about their actions, constituting a grave obstruction of justice.
This level of coordination and secrecy indicated a shared intent, according to van der Watt, asserting, “It is clear that all three accused, along with Lombaard, were aware of, or should have reasonably known, that Joshlin was being sold for exploitation.” He emphasised that the financial motive was not incidental but the primary driving force behind their actions, underscoring the brutal reality of the crime.
As the court proceedings continue, the expert made it clear that when assessing the comprehensive evidence presented, it becomes undeniable that the accused engaged in a deliberate and premeditated process aimed at exploiting Joshlin. “Every step was marked by intentionality and coordination, driven by financial greed at the expense of a vulnerable child.”
During the hearing, it was noted that the accused’s silence in the face of compelling evidence should lead to adverse inferences regarding their defence. Kelly Smith’s role in orchestrating the plan against her own daughter has been highlighted as particularly heinous, deepening the gravity of her culpability.
The court was also informed of the likely abuse that Joshlin has endured since her abduction. While details remain murky due to her unknown whereabouts, Dr van der Watt expressed concern that it is highly improbable she has not suffered harm, with indications that her physical attributes may have placed her at higher risk for exploitation.
“Joshlin’s story is by no means isolated,” he remarked. “It symbolises thousands of other children who have vanished without trace, falling prey to into the dark underbelly of trafficking. The absence of a comprehensive system in South Africa to address missing children and trafficking exacerbates this crisis.”