Joslin Smith’s Granny Admits Family Is Struggling With Situation, Says Kelly Refuses to Speak to Her

• Amanda Smith-Daniels has detailed the hurt that the family of Joslin Smith is experiencing
• The mother of Kelly Smith said she would go to the lengths of the earth to find Joslin
• Smith-Daniels stated that Kelly refuses to talk to her following the sentencing proceedings

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 – Joslin Smith’s family are still struggling to come to terms with her disappearance.

The little girl from Middlepos, Saldanha Bay, was last seen on 30 May 2025, in the company of Jacquin Appollis.

Appollis, along with Joslin’s mother, Kelly, and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn, were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking.

They were sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge Nathan Erasmus on 29 May 2025 in the Saldanha Bay Multipurpose Centre, where the trial was heard.

Kelly’s mother heartbroken by the turn of events

Speaking to SABC News on 30 May, Kelly’s biological mother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, spoke of the family’s struggles in dealing with the situation.

“I’m really not coping. It’s heartbreaking for us. We are struggling. We just want to find Joslin,” she said.

Smith-Daniels added that it hurt that Kelly didn’t want to say anything, even after being sentenced to life. She continued that she just wanted to know where Joslin was, so that she could get her and take care of her.

“I will go to the lengths of the earth to go and get her,” she said.

Family can’t escape public scrutiny

Smith-Daniels said that while they were still dealing with the trauma of Joslin’s disappearance, they were constantly reminded of it by the constant media articles and the conversations with people.

She explained that they preferred to stay inside, because everyone who saw them only wanted to talk about the case. The tragic case has also taken a toll on Joslin’s brother, who lives with his grandmother.

Smith-Daniels confirmed the 12-year-old is seeing a psychologist, but appears to be coping so far.

Kelly is angry with her mother

Smith-Daniels also revealed that Kelly refused to talk to her after the sentencing. She said she believes that Kelly is upset about her mother’s victim impact statement.

In her statement, which was read out in the courtroom, Kelly’s mother expressed disappointment with her daughter’s failure to speak. She also said that Kelly made their lives hell on earth with her actions. You can view her full interview further down in this article.

What you need to know about the Joslin Smith trial

• Lourencia Lombaard testified that a sangoma wanted Joslin for her eyes and skin.
• Advocate Rinesh Sivnarain accused Lombaard of being the mastermind behind Joslin’s disappearance.
• Appollis detailed how police allegedly tortured him while he was at the Sea Border offices.
• One of the defence lawyers alleged 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.
• Kelly and her two co-accused were found guilty of human trafficking and kidnapping.
• Kelly claimed that the witnesses lied, accused the court of being biased, and even said her lawyer was incompetent.

Smith, Appollis, van Rhyn sentenced to life imprisonment

Briefly News also reported that Smith, Appollis and van Rhyn were sentenced to life behind bars.

The trio were found guilty of human trafficking and kidnapping in the Joslin Smith trial.

Judge Nathan Erasmus stated that Smith, Appollis and van Rhyn showed no remorse.

Source: Briefly News