Woman accused of torching Kelly Smith’s home granted R500 bail

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The woman accused of burning down the house of Kelly Smith has been granted R500 bail in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court.

According to EWN, the incident occurred on Friday, 2 May 2025, hours after Kelly Smith was found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. Smith was convicted alongside two co-accused, her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis and their friend, Steveno van Rhyn.

It is alleged that the three sold Joshlin Smith for R20 000. The then-six-year-old Joshlin disappeared from her home in Saldanha Bay in February 2024 and is yet to be found.�

WOMAN ARRESTED FOR ARSON

Monique Kekana was arrested on Friday, 2 May, for arson, on the scene in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay. The 27-year-old woman told Newzroom Africa that she is happy to be released because she was scared. The woman said that she had heard a lot of terrifying stories about Pollsmoor prison.

Kekana told the court that the reason she burnt the place was because she wanted justice for Joshlin. Although she admitted guilt to the police, Kekana plans to plead not guilty to the charges. The woman said she burnt the place because she is also a mother.

“I was a little bit drunk, but I did it. I don’t have any regrets because what I did, I did it for Joshlin and for justice for the child,” she said.

The case has been postponed until 27 June 2025.

GQEBERHA POLICE WOMAN GRANTED R500 BAIL

A 48-year-old SAPS sergeant was granted R500 bail by the Gqeberha Magistrate’s Court. Nomvuyiseko Somekete from Kabega Park police station was arrested for 16 counts of fraud charges.

On Wednesday, 7 May 2025, Somekete was arrested for allegedly committing fraud by taking out 16 fake life insurance policies totalling over R1.1 million. She was released on R500 bail the following day.

It is alleged that she impersonated relatives, claiming to be the victims’ aunt, cousin, mother, and even wife, to cash in on the policies without their knowledge.