Joslin Smith Case: Prosecutors Remain Hopeful That Saldanha Bay Youngster Will Still Be Found

• Zelda Swanepoel and Aradhana Heeramun are hopeful that Joslin Smith will still be found safe and sound
• The two advocates were the prosecutors in the trial and ensured a successful conviction of the accused
• Kelly Smith, Jacquin Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced to life behind bars for human trafficking

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 – Advocates Zelda Swanepoel and Aradhana Heeramun remain hopeful that Joslin Smith will be found.

The little Saldanha Bay girl was last seen on 19 February 2024, with her mother, Kelly Smith, and others arrested in connection with her disappearance. Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, and their friend, Steveno Van Rhyn, were then found guilty of human trafficking and kidnapping.

Swanepoel and Heeramun, who were the two prosecutors in the case, ensured that Kelly, Appollis, and Van Rhyn were sentenced to life imprisonment for the kidnapping and trafficking of Joslin.

Prosecutors remain hopeful Joslin is found

Speaking a week after the trio were sentenced for their crimes, Swanepoel and Heeramun reflected on the trial and the ongoing case.

"We are still hopeful that something will break, and we can solve this case by finding Joslin," Heeramun said.

She added that every single lead was followed up, and at no stage did the case go cold. Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile also confirmed that the case was far from being closed, and stated that police were working with Interpol as they continued searching for the Middlepos youngster.

Swanepoel also expressed her hope that little Joslin would be found.

"It is very important for us that little Joslin is found and rescued so that the exploitation can stop," she stated.

Both Swanepoel and Heeramun received a lot of praise after the case was wrapped up, and could be in action again, as at least one of the convicted trio is expected to appeal the judgment.

Speaking exclusively to Briefly News, an attorney, Noma-Gcina Mtshontshi, explained that the trio would have to bring their applications before the same judge, and if he feels that a different court could reach a different decision, he can grant leave to appeal.

"Should that be refused, they have another option to petition the Supreme Court of Appeal to allow them to appeal," she explained.

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