Founder of an NGO encourages Kelly Smith to disclose Joslin’s whereabouts, stating the young girl’s mother needs to speak.

Veranique Williams urged Kelly Smith to reveal the whereabouts of Joslin ahead of the sentencing

Kelly, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking

Williams argued that there would be no justice for her unless the community actually knew what happened to her

WESTERN CAPE – The founder of a non-governmental organisation in Mitchells Plain has urged Kelly Smith to reveal Joslin’s whereabouts.

Veranique Williams made the appeal as Kelly, Jacquin Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn await sentencing in the trial of the missing Middelpos youngsters.

The trio were found guilty of human trafficking and kidnapping after little Joslin went missing on 19 February 2024 and was never seen again.

Williams wants Kelly to talk
Speaking ahead of the upcoming sentencing, which will be held on 27 May in Saldanha Bay, Williams stated that there would be no justice for Joslin until her mother shed light on her whereabouts.

Williams, the founder of the Mitchells Plain-based Faith and Hope Missing Persons organisation, said that Kelly needed to talk.

“I agree fully with the community when they say justice will not be served by not finding Joslin. I think that we first need to find Joslin before justice can be served. Kelly needs to talk and tell us where her child is. I assume she knows where her child is,” she said.

State to call human trafficking experts

With the trio found guilty of having sold the child, but no concrete evidence provided for who she was sold to, all eyes turn to sentencing to see how long they will spend behind bars.

The State also plans to call human trafficking experts to testify during sentencing to secure a harsher sentence.