Joslin Smith was meant to celebrate her seventh birthday on Wednesday, 23 October, surrounded by her loved ones, including her family and school friends at Diazville Primary School.
Instead, the Saldanha Bay girl is missing, without her trace, while her mother, Kelly Smith, and others are charged with selling her to allegedly buy drugs.
The green-eyed girl disappeared from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in the community of Diazville on 19 February.
While the court proceedings into Joslin Smith’s disappearance continued this week, the community of Diazville, including the local primary school, gathered together to celebrate her seventh birthday.
In a bittersweet post, Diazville Primary School shared a birthday tribute that read: “As we celebrate your birthday, know that you are deeply missed and loved.
“Your strength and spirit shine bright, even from afar. We hold on to hope and believe in your safe return.
It added: “May this day remind you that you are always in our hearts!”
Today, as we celebrate your birthday and the school’s, know that you are deeply missed and loved. Your strength and…
Posted by Diazville Primêre Saldanha on Wednesday 23 October 2024
The school added that it had spoiled the classmates of little Joslin – who have received counselling – with party packs in her memory.
Meanwhile, community leaders celebrated Joslin Smith’s birthday with a church service last Sunday.
“Our prayers have worked before, and they will work again,” posted Patriotic Alliance MP Stacey-Lee Gaby Khojane.
Over a thousand children came together to celebrate the birthday of Joslin Smith..
We will never forget our green eyed…
Posted by Pastor Francisco Tejada on Sunday 20 October 2024
CHARGES: THE LATEST
Joslin Smith’s mother, Kelly Smith, her partner, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and two others – Lourentia Lombaard and Steveno van Rhyn have been charged with kidnapping and child trafficking.
The quartet appeared in Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 October.
Charges against Lombaard have since been withdrawn. However, the NPA has revealed its plans to use her as a witness.
Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC
During their appearance, the court heard through an indictment how Joslin’s mother, Kelly, had allegedly planned to sell all three of her children earlier this year.
According to the indictment, Kelly packed a bag of clothes for Joslin a day before her disappearance. On 19 February, she accompanied her daughter into a white vehicle. Kelly, who is pregnant with her fourth child, later reported that Joslin was missing.
She had allegedly planned to split the money with the co-accused.
The accused will remain in custody while awaiting a pretrial hearing. The case will be transferred to the Cape Town High Court on 31 January.
The accused will remain in police custody.
DO YOU BELIEVE JOSLIN SMITH WILL BE FOUND?
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