Joshlin Smith sentencing: Kelly and co-accused handed life sentences

Judge Nathan Erasmus has sentenced Joshlin Smith’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, along with her accomplices, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, to life in prison for human trafficking.

They also received 10 years for kidnapping.

The three returned to the Western Cape High Court in Saldanha on Thursday.

Earlier this month, Judge Nathan Erasmus found the three guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking.

Six-year-old Joshlin disappeared from the family’s home in Saldanha Bay on 19 February 2024.

Watch Kelly and her co-accused’s sentencing below

Handing down the sentences on Thursday, Judge Erasmus told Appollis he wasted his life by abusing substances.

“What is worrying in your personal circumstances is the attitude you displayed as described by Mr Peterson. It doesn’t seem like you have shown any remorse or concern about the whereabouts of Joshlin. Instead, you persisted in twisting the truth even on the eve of this sentencing,” he said.

“In your personal circumstances, I do not find any mitigating factors.”

‘Menace to society’

Van Rhyn, described as a menace to society, had a difficult upbringing. His father was often away for work commitments.

However, Judge Erasmus said he had opportunities to live a decent life, but chose a life of crime instead, with previous convictions for robbery.

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“You were given the opportunity to have correctional supervision and to rehabilitate within society, which opportunity you squandered by not even complying with the conditions and spending time for parole violation,” said Judge Erasmus.

“I expected a person who has gone through circumstances like yourself, whose father was murdered when you were young, to realise the consequences not only on yourself, but on broader society when families are affected and afflicted by these types of circumstances. Your attitude in this court shows that of one who doesn’t care.”

Joshlin’s grandmother: ‘You lied’

On Wednesday, court preparation officer Deonett Boltney read out victim impact statements.

Among the statements was that of Amanda Smith Daniels, who is Kelly’s mother. Her statement was a mixture of sadness and anger at the actions of her daughter, whom she said was playing victim.

ALSO READ: ‘I looked for Joshlin when I was mourning my own daughter,’ community member tells court

“Kelly, you have come and made our lives hell on earth. You came to break us and tore us apart. Do you know what it feels like to lie awake every night? It feels like my heart has been ripped out of my body because I pray for Joshlin. I pray for her safety and that God will keep her safe where she is. My pillow is riddled with tears over your actions,” said Daniels in her statement.

Kelly’s mother labelled her a liar for failing to fulfil what she had promised her regarding Joshlin’s disappearance.

“You don’t want to take responsibility for your actions, now you want to play victim. You looked me in the face and said, ‘Mommy, I’ll talk next time we appear’. I believed you, but you lied again. How do you live with yourself? I will not rest nicely until Joshlin is found. Joshlin would have received all the love and attention from the Andrews family; they would have been the best parents to have, and now they’re also left with great hurt by you.”

READ MORE: Joshlin Smith sentencing: ‘Kelly, you made our lives hell on earth,’ says her mother