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Missing girl's mother and her co-accused were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking.
Kelly Smith's house during the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial in Saldanha Bay. The wooden shack was later burnt down. Picture: Gallo Images
Hours after Joshlin Smith’s mother was found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking by the Western Cape High Court on Friday, her house in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, was burnt down.
A video of the incident was posted on social media on Friday night. In it, a woman can be seen screaming and raising her fist in the air while standing in front of the flames.
People can also be heard laughing on the sidelines and asking “where are the police now?”.
Police in the Western Cape have since confirmed that a woman has been taken in for questioning in connection with the fire.
“Saldanha police in the Western Cape registered on Friday evening a case of arson for investigation after Kelly Smith’s Middelpos dwelling was destroyed in a fire. An adult female has been taken in for questioning,” a statement said.
On Friday Judge Nathan Erasmus found Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking. He ruled that the state had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The then six-year-old Joshlin disappeared from the family’s home in Middelpos on 19 February 2024.
The judge said none of the witnesses’ evidence was disproved. Erasmus also questioned Kelly Smith’s conduct after her child went missing. The mother did not take part in the search for her child.
“The conduct of … Kelly was not that of a concerned parent and in my opinion, it was because you knew.”
Meanwhile, Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile said the missing person investigation into Joshlin is still open.
“We’re still looking for Joshlin and we’re still appealing to every person. As we said, we have cast the net wider, worldwide,” he said.
“We were hoping that Kelly Smith would take the [witness] stand so that we would find where Joshlin is.
“Unfortunately, we could not get that opportunity because she was exercising the right to remain silent, but we continue. The investigation is not closed.”
NOW READ: Joshlin Smith trial: Court finds Kelly and co-accused guilty
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