Human Trafficking News & Updates

Judge Nathan Erasmus sentenced Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Kelly Smith to life imprisonment for their roles in the kidnapping and human trafficking case of Joshlin Smith.

South African mother jailed for life over missing daughter

A South African woman has been sentenced to life imprisonment along with two accomplices for trafficking her six-year-old daughter, who disappeared more than a year ago and remains missing. Kelly Smith, 33, was jailed alongside her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend

May 29, 2025

South Africa

‘You made our lives hell on earth’ – grandmother confronts Joshlin’s mother

The mother of a woman convicted of trafficking her six-year-old daughter has delivered a devastating victim impact statement, accusing her of destroying the family and refusing to take responsibility. Amanda Smith Daniels spoke directly to her daughter Kelly Smith in court on

May 28, 2025

reportfocusnews joshlin smith kelly 6481670

Crime·South Africa

Joshlin Smith Case: Mother and Two Others Guilty

Loud chants of “Justice for Joshlin” rang out at the Saldanha Bay Multi-purpose Centre on Friday after Kelly Smith—the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith—and her co-accused, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. The

May 2, 2025

Over 50 foreign nationals reportedly escaped from a house in Lombardy East Johannesburg amid allegations of human trafficking

Featured·South Africa

Dozens of Foreign Nationals Escape Suspected Trafficking House in Johannesburg

At least 50 foreign nationals are reported to have fled a house in Lombardy East, north of Johannesburg, on Wednesday, in what authorities suspect may be linked to human trafficking. According to initial reports, the group escaped from a property in the

March 26, 2025

Kelly Smith, the mother of Joslin Smith.

Arts & Lifestyle·Crime·South Africa

Joshlin Smith Trial: ‘They Wanted Her Eyes and Skin’

CAPE TOWN, South Africa – A witness has told a South African court that Kelly Smith, the mother of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, admitted knowing what happened to her daughter and claimed someone paid her to stay silent, as the trial continued

March 17, 2025

Crime·South Africa

Witness Testifies Joshlin Smith was sold for R20,000

CAPE TOWN- The Western Cape High Court heard harrowing testimony from formerly accused witness, Lourentia Lombaard, who detailed the alleged sale of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith for R20,000. The trial is held at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville, Saldanha Bay.

March 14, 2025

Crime·Nigeria·South Africa

Teacher: Joshlin’s mother claimed child on boat to West Africa

CAPE TOWN- In a dramatic twist in the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, her class teacher, Edna Maart, has testified in the Western Cape High Court that the child’s mother, Kelly Smith, claimed Joshlin was being transported to West Africa by

March 13, 2025

Crime·Politics·South Africa

Smith kidnapping accused claims Gayton McKenzie involved in arrest

Van Rhyn alleges Gayton McKenzie transported him to police station in connection with missing 6-year-old case. Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, one of the accused in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial, has claimed Patriotic Alliance (PA) president Gayton McKenzie was involved in bringing

March 10, 2025

Lebombo border between South Africa and Mozambique reopens for cargo processing Picture Supplied

Featured·South Africa

14 Children Rescued from Human Trafficking at SA-Mozambique Border

The Border Management Authority (BMA) intercepted a human trafficking attempt at the Lebombo border post, arresting a minibus driver who tried to smuggle 14 undocumented children aged 14-16 from Mozambique into South Africa. The children have been placed under the care of

December 10, 2024

South Africa

Hawks Free Trafficking Victim in Western Cape Raid

VANRHYNSDORP, SOUTH AFRICA – Hawks law enforcement units rescued a 17-year-old Mozambican trafficking victim and arrested her alleged captor during a raid Thursday at 14:00 local time (12:00 GMT) in Vanrhynsdorp, Western Cape. The 38-year-old foreign national allegedly held the teenager against

December 6, 2024

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