Vanished: The Joshlin Smith Case by Tharwat Abrams (.ePUB)
File Size: 227 KB
Vanished: The Joshlin Smith Case by Tharwat Abrams
Requirements: .ePUB Reader | 227Kb
Overview: On the evening of February 19, 2024, six-year-old Joshlin Smith vanished from her home in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape. Her disappearance sparked a nationwide outcry and a massive search effort. But as the days passed, the case took a dark and unexpected turn—one that would expose a chilling tale of betrayal, trafficking, and exploitation.
The investigation revealed that Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, had allegedly planned her daughter’s disappearance months in advance. Witnesses testified that as early as August 2023, Kelly had spoken of selling her children. On the day before Joshlin vanished, she was seen approaching a white vehicle with her mother, where an unknown woman handed something to Kelly before they returned home
As the community searched desperately, police uncovered blood-stained clothing in a nearby field. Days later, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and friend Steveno van Rhyn were arrested. A fourth suspect, Phumza Siqaga, was initially charged but later released. Another woman, Laurentia Lombaard, was arrested and later turned state witness, providing key testimony that helped prosecutors build their case
The trial revealed damning evidence: Kelly had allegedly sold Joshlin for R20,000 to a traditional healer interested in her green eyes and fair skin. The court heard from 35 state witnesses, including a pastor and a teacher, who testified that Kelly had spoken openly about her intentions. Despite initial public sympathy, Kelly’s demeanor during the search raised suspicions—she appeared calm and detached, even as her daughter remained missing
In May 2025, Judge Nathan Erasmus sentenced Kelly Smith, Appollis, and van Rhyn to life imprisonment for human trafficking and an additional 10 years for kidnapping. Yet, despite the convictions, Joshlin’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Vanished is a haunting true crime narrative that not only recounts the investigation and trial but also explores the societal conditions—poverty, addiction, and desperation—that allowed such a tragedy to unfold. It is a story of a community betrayed, a child lost, and a justice system grappling with the unthinkable.
Genre: Fiction > Mystery/Thriller
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