In a courtroom filled with sorrow and lingering questions, three individuals, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, faced the consequences of their actions in the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. The little girl vanished from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February 2024, sparking a search that gripped the nation.
Following a trial that dissected the events leading up to Joshlin’s disappearance, the Western Cape High Court found the trio guilty of kidnapping and trafficking. The court was presented with disturbing details, including allegations that Joshlin was sold for 20,000 Rand to a Nigerian sangoma and was, most probably, taken to West Africa last year. As the life sentences were handed down, a wave of emotion swept through the courtroom, a mix of grief, anger, and a desperate yearning for answers.
Even as the reality of their sentences sunk in, the convicted individuals signaled their intention to appeal the court's decision. Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, representing Steveno van Rhyn, asserted that their fight was far from over. She maintained her client's innocence, claiming he was merely trying to sell a microwave and was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, unaware of the crime unfolding around him. The legal battle, she insisted, would continue.
As the three were escorted away to begin their life sentences, the courtroom and the wider community remained united in their grief and the haunting absence of Joshlin. Natasha Andrews, Joshlin’s godmother, expressed the profound pain caused by the silence of the convicted. She spoke of Joshlin as a beloved member of her family, a child who shared their lives, their meals, and their holidays. The fact that the accused offered no information, no hint of where Joshlin might be, only deepened their suffering. Andrews recounted visiting Kelly after the sentencing, finding her in tears, but still without answers. Despite the heartache, Andrews vowed to never give up hope of finding Joshlin.
For many residents of Saldanha Bay, the sentencing brought a measure of justice, but not closure. Chane Biggs, a community member actively involved in the search for Joshlin, described feeling overwhelmed but satisfied with the outcome of the trial. However, the knowledge that Joshlin’s whereabouts remain unknown cast a shadow over the proceedings. Biggs expressed a determination to continue the search, driven by faith and a commitment to protect children.
June Dolley-Major, a prominent activist against gender-based mistreatment, acknowledged that the justice system had played its part, but emphasized that true justice would only be achieved when Joshlin is found. Kelly’s mother, Amanda Smith-Daniels, shared her anguish, torn between her love for her daughter and the recognition that she must face the consequences of her actions. Smith-Daniels vowed to support her daughter, despite the pain, and expressed her unwavering love.
Despite the conclusion of the trial, authorities are continuing their search for Joshlin. Western Cape Provincial Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile affirmed that the investigation remains open, with every lead being pursued.
Earlier in the proceedings, on 3 April 2025, the State faced criticism from Judge Nathan Erasmus for what he described as 'sloppy' evidence gathering. The criticism came during a trial within a trial, as Steveno van Rhyn and Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis claimed they had been mistreated by police officers on 4 and 5 March 2024.
Captain Philip Seekoei, from the Western Cape Crime and Investigation Services, was called to the stand to discuss the alleged confession made by Steveno van Rhyn. However, van Rhyn’s lawyer, Nobuhle Mkabayi, objected to the documents being labeled a confession, arguing that it was not tantamount to one.
Video footage of van Rhyn giving his statement was played in court, but technical difficulties caused an adjournment. When the footage was finally viewable, the audio was inaudible to the public. Despite claims that van Rhyn had been coerced into making a confession, he appeared calm and relaxed in the video, even smiling at times.
Judge Erasmus expressed concern that the statement did not accurately reflect what was said in the video. He emphasized the importance of recording statements verbatim, especially in such a significant case involving a missing child. Advocate Swanepoel defended the evidence as the best they had, but Judge Erasmus responded with a pointed, "As sloppy as this is, carry on…"
Judge Erasmus noted that the footage appeared to show van Rhyn as an accessory after the fact, rather than a confessor. He questioned why he had not been informed that the document was not a true reflection of the video.
Steveno van Rhyn claimed he never saw Joshlin on the day she disappeared, but that he was mistreated and nearly killed by police during interrogation. This information was revealed when his lawyer, Nobahle Mkabayi, read his plea explanation into evidence. Van Rhyn, along with Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and Kelly Smith, pleaded not guilty to charges of kidnapping and trafficking in persons.
Van Rhyn stated that he and Boeta were friends who often spent time together and used drugs. He knew Kelly through her relationship with Boeta and was aware that she had three children living with them.
On 19 February 2024, van Rhyn said he visited Boeta’s place and found Laurentia Lombaard, who was previously accused in the matter, at the house. He asked them to make him drugs, but they didn't have any. Later, he returned and Lombaard handed him a pipe, and Boeta put drugs in it. He didn't see any of Kelly’s children at that time.
Van Rhyn said he returned to Boeta's house after trying to sell his microwave. He and Lombaard agreed on a price of R50 for her cell phone. As she was leaving, he heard her call for Joshlin to check on her sleeping baby.
He and Boeta left to sell the microwave, but the buyer told them to collect the money later. Back at Boeta’s place, van Rhyn said he was fixing cell phones outside. Later, Boeta left to get the money but returned empty-handed.
Around 5 p.m., Smith returned home, and van Rhyn overheard her telling Boeta they needed to refill the gas cylinder. He went with them. When they returned, van Rhyn said he remained outside fixing cell phones while Kelly and Boeta left to buy drugs. After they returned, he went inside, and they smoked drugs. Then, he went back to fixing cell phones outside.
Van Rhyn said he heard Kelly calling Joshlin, but she didn't respond. He told her that he remembered Lombaard calling Joshlin to check on her baby. He said he never saw Joshlin that day, and Lombaard never came back. He accompanied Smith to Lombaard’s house, but she said she had returned home.
They searched the area but couldn't find her. It was dark, and van Rhyn asked Boeta to buy him drugs because he wanted to go home. They left Smith looking for Joshlin.
On 4 March 2024, van Rhyn said he was hitch-hiking to Saldanha from Vredenburg with his cousin’s boyfriend. They were offered a ride in a white double cab bakkie, but when they reached their stop, he was told to stay in the vehicle.
He claimed he was mistreated. He said he was handcuffed and ordered to lie down in the back of the bakkie. He was taken close to the ocean.
He said they pinched him. Opened his mouth and forced a gun inside his mouth, promising to kill him and burning him inside the sand or throw him in the ocean.
He stated he was taken to the Sea Board Offices where the mistreatment continued. Van Rhyn said several police officers were present, and he was threatened with being killed.
He said they removed the handcuffs and ordered him to take off his sweater. He removed his sweater and they handcuffed him again. He was hanging mid-air. A plastic bag was placed over his head while he was hit on his head, legs, feet, and hands.
He said he could not breathe and felt that he was going to die. This was repeated several times. He said he shook his head to make the torture stop, and they removed the plastic bag.
Van Rhyn said he told them he was ready to talk, even though he had already given them a detailed statement. He realized that if he didn't tell them what they wanted to hear, they would kill him.
Van Rhyn further stated that when he went for a medical examination, he was warned not to reveal any details of his injuries or he would be killed.
On 20 May 2025, Steveno van Rhyn’s defense attorney, Nobahle Mkabayi, argued that some of the factors considered in sentencing human trafficking cases were not relevant to the Joshlin Smith case.
According to defence lawyer Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, the case is still far from over, despite the life sentences imposed by Judge Erasmus.
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