Kelly Smith Breaks Down in Tears During Court Proceedings, Gets Emotional Watching Clips of Her Kids

• Kelly Smith was spotted crying during court proceedings taking place in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape
• Kelly wiped tears from her eyes while watching clips of her other children
• The State has officially wrapped up its case against Kelly, Jacquin Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

WESTERN CAPE – Kelly Smith broke down in tears on the most recent day of court proceedings into the disappearance of her daughter, Joslin.

Kelly, along with her boyfriend, Jacquin ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.

Joslin was last seen on 19 February 2024 in Middlepos, Saldanha, and her disappearance has since made global headlines. The three accused are currently standing trial in the Saldanha Bay Multipurpose Centre, where the matter is being heard.

Kelly breaks down in tears

During proceedings on 23 April 2025, Lieutenant Colonel Riaan Morris took to the stand. Morris, who works for the Commercial Crimes Unit and handles Cyber Crimes, was tasked with sourcing several social media videos made after Joslin’s disappearance. The videos centred around the accused and included interviews Gayton McKenzie conducted with them. It was during one of these videos that Kelly broke down.

While watching McKenzie’s interactions with her kids in a Spur in a 2024 video, Kelly could be seen wiping tears from her eyes. The camera panned to her after Judge Nathan Erasmus asked that videos of her other minor children not be shown in court, especially given that the trial is being broadcast live.

Kelly became emotional when McKenzie asked her what she would do if Boeta were involved in her daughter’s disappearance. It’s not the first time that Kelly has broken down in court either.

While many in the public eye have accused her of showing no compassion or care that her daughter is missing, there have been other moments where she has been spotted crying in court.

The State has now wrapped up its case, with attention now turning to the defence to argue its case.

What you need to know about the Joslin Smith trial

• Lourencia Lombaard claimed that a sangoma wanted Joslin for her eyes and skin.
• Advocate Rinesh Sivnarain accused Lombaard of being the mastermind behind Joslin’s disappearance.
• Gayton McKenzie accused the Saldanha Bay Mayor of being involved in Joslin Smith’s disappearance.
• Appollis detailed how police allegedly tortured him while he was at the Sea Border offices.
• One of the defence lawyers claimed that police told van Rhyn and Appollis what to say in their statements.
• Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that statements made by Appollis and van Rhyn may be admitted as evidence.

Lead investigator explains why charges were dropped against Makalima

Briefly News reported that the lead investigator in the Joslin Smith case explained why charges were dropped against one suspect.

Makalima, who has been mentioned often in the trial, was originally arrested along with the other accused.

Charges were withdrawn against Makalima, whose name is Phumza Sigaqa, due to a lack of evidence against her.

Source: Briefly News