Joslin Smith Trial: Witness Testifies Seeing Kelly Drag Joslin Into Shack Before Her Disappearance

• A witness at the Joslin Smith disappearance trial gave insight into the domestic dynamics of Kelly Smith's house
• She testified that she saw Kelly dragging Joslin into her Middelpos informal settlement shack during an argument
• Joslin Smith's trial enters the third week and the testimony emerged during a cross-examination by accused Steveno van Rhyn's defence

With nine years’ experience, Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

SALDANHA BAY, WESTERN CAPE — As Joslin Smith's disappearance trial continues in its third week, a witness testified that she saw Kelly unpleasantly handling Joslin the night before she disappeared in February 2024.

Neighbour testifies during Joslin Smith trial

Middelpos informal settlement resident Paulina Tshosa testified on 18 March 2025 at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay, Westen Cape where the Western Cape High Court held a sitting to allow community members to be part of the proceedings. Kelly, her lover Jacquin Appolis and Steveno van Rhyn face charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. Tshosa was facing cross-examination by van Rhyn's defence.

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She revealed that she witnessed Kelly drag Joslin into the shack where they lived on the Sunday evening before Joslin vanished. She also said that she heard Kelly get into an argument with whom she assumed was Appollis, also known as "Boeta." The witness noted that Joslin's pink flip-flop fell while her mother dragged her. Tshosa added that she recognised the suspects from the initial court proceedings that took place at the Vredenburg Magistrates Court before the trial was transferred to the Western Cape High Court.

What happened to Joslin Smith?

Joslin Smith's disappearance sent shockwaves across South Africa, and the South African Police Service mobilised resources to find her. The three suspects currently on trial were arrested a month after her disappearance and Lourentia Lombaard, who is now a state witness, was also arrested. However, she was released after the state found no evidence against her.

Another suspect, Phumza Sigaqa, was arrested and released after the state found no evidence tying her to Joslin's disappearance. Kelly remained in custody since her arrest, and it later emerged that she was pregnant. All three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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Kelly Smith's sister testifies that Joslin was still in Saldanha Bay days after her disappearance

What you need to know about the Joslin Smith trial

• Kelly recently broke down in court after hearing testimony from her former employer that she is a good mother.
• Lombaard took the stand during the second week of the trial.
• During her testimony, she revealed that Kelly was allegedly given hush money not to say anything about Joslin's disappearance.
• Kelly's sister also testified and said that Joslin was still in Saldanha Bay seven days after her disappearance.
• Kelly allegedly told Joslin's Grade 1 teacher that she received a call that Joslin was in West Africa.

South Africans react

Below are some of the reactions from South Africans on SABC News' Facebook post.

Ike Mphakati said:

"What a heartless mom. She gambled with her daughter."

Meckey Mcloud Kandenge said:

"She doesn't care."

Janet Ncube said:

"They must just lock the evil woman and throw away the key."

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Joslin Smith: Lourentia Lombaard said Kelly was allegedly paid to keep quiet about selling Joslin

Baloy Richardson said:

"I've run out of words to describe this evil woman."

Oageng Jacob James said:

"May she be haunted until she tells the truth."

Kelly allegedly threatened to stab her son

In a related article, Briefly News reported that Kelly allegedly tried to stab her grandmother and her son in 2018 while pregnant with Joslin. This was according to a social worker who took the stand.

The social worker testified that Kelly also had a history of drug abuse and was living with her grandmother at the time. Her grandmother later kicked her out of the house.

Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News