The woman accused of setting Joslin Smith’s home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, says open her heart and confess where her daughter is.
The incident happened just hours after Kelly Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking on 2 May over Joslin’s disappearance.
WOMAN WHO ALLEGEDLY TORCHED JOSLIN SMITH’S HOME SPEAKS OUT
The South African previously reported that the young girl went missing from her home in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February 2024.
At the time, she was under the care of her mother’s boyfriend.
Speaking outside court on after being granted bail, Kekana told eNCA that she did what she did for all the mothers out there with children who are missing.
Kekana said she has a cousin who has been missing for over 16 years, and as a family, they have no clue where she is.
“I wanted to show her that she should tell the community where the child is, because she knows where the child is. I just want her to open her mouth because we are also mothers, and I was arrested, but I’ve learnt my lesson and I am here today with my child,” she said.
Kekana said she was angry and emotional when Kelly Smith refused to testify in the trial on Joslin Smith’s disappearance and that’s why she did what she did.
“She must open her heart and say where Joslin Smith is. She carried the child for nine months and gave birth. How can you sell your child just like that for money? How can a mother do that?” Kekana questioned.
THREE ACCUSED FOUND GUILTY
Joslin Smith’s mother, her boyfriend, and their friend were arrested just days after the young girl disappeared, and they abandoned their bail applications.
They faced four counts of human trafficking and kidnapping.
Delivering the judgement at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville Judge Nathan Erasmus said the state was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the three accused in counts 1 and 2.
On count 1, he found them guilty of trafficking in persons. They were also found guilty of kidnapping, which was count 2.
WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE WOMAN’S DECISION TO BURN DOWN JOSLIN SMITH’S HOME?
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