South African Mother Found Guilty of Trafficking Daughter, 6

Guilty Verdict in Joshlin Smith Case

• ⚖️ A South African court has found a mother and two accomplices guilty of kidnapping and trafficking her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith.
• 📌 Joshlin Smith went missing in February 2024 from her home in Middleost, Western Cape, and has not yet been found.

Allegations and Witness Testimony

• 💰 The accused, including Joshlin's mother Kelly Smith and her boyfriend, were alleged to have sold the child for a fee.
• 🗣️ A witness testified that Smith claimed to have sold Joshlin to a sangoma (traditional healer) for $1,100.
• 🎯 The reason cited for the sale was that the girl was desired for her "eyes and skin."

Judicial Findings and Ongoing Search

• 👨‍⚖️ The Western Cape High Court judge convicted all three individuals of kidnapping and trafficking.
• ❓ The judge's ruling did not specify who the child was sold to or the exact circumstances.
• 💔 Joshlin's grandmother expressed anguish, stating, "I am angry because nobody knows if she's still alive."
• 🔍 Police Commissioner General Tbiscile Patikille confirmed that the search for the missing child is ongoing, and the investigation is not closed.

Sentencing and Next Steps

• 🔒 The three convicted individuals will be remanded in custody pending their sentencing.