South Africa still seeks answers in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith

Wednesday 12 March 2025 - 16:30

By: Dakir Madiha

South Africa still seeks answers in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith

The disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith continues to captivate South Africa, a country struggling with rampant crime, femicide, and violence, where many citizens feel unsafe.

Despite the country's notoriety for kidnappings, particularly involving businesspeople and foreigners, the tragedy of Joshlin’s disappearance one year ago shocked the nation. It highlighted the everyday reality of a society held hostage by gangsters of all kinds and a population demanding an end to crime.

The widely publicized case has rocked the nation, drawing attention to the harsh realities faced by a country torn by gang violence, poverty, inequality, and corruption. The police investigation led to the arrest of Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, along with three other suspects. They were charged with human trafficking for exploitation and kidnapping Joshlin.

The state’s indictment claims that Kelly Smith sold her daughter to an unknown woman for just 20,000 rands (around $1,200) and had planned to sell her 11-year-old son and another 2-year-old daughter. During the trial, the Vredenburg Magistrates Court learned that Smith was the mastermind behind her daughter’s disappearance on February 19, 2024. The state argued that Smith had taken Joshlin to an unknown woman in a white car, where she received a package.

One year after her disappearance in the village of Saldanha Bay, local community organizations, residents, and NGOs continue to demand transparency and justice. They stress that combating crimes against women and children should be a top priority for authorities.

The rising tide of child-targeted crime is particularly alarming, with boys more likely to fall victim to assaults and murders, while girls face heightened risks of sexual violence. South Africa has seen a disturbing increase in child-related crimes in recent years, casting a dark shadow over communities and raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of the most vulnerable members of society.

Joshlin Smith’s case, though not isolated, has sparked renewed attention to this ongoing issue. According to official police figures, approximately 16,000 children go missing each year in South Africa. While the police report an 87% success rate in locating these children, nearly 2,000 children remain missing annually, according to NGOs.

This tragedy has also brought the issue of missing children to the forefront, leading to heightened awareness and greater focus on the problem. Bianca Van Aswegen, criminologist and national coordinator of Missing Children South Africa, explained to MAP that there are various reasons children go missing, including human trafficking. She also pointed out that many cases go unreported due to fear of retaliation, particularly in kidnapping cases.

As the investigation into this heartbreaking disappearance continues, South Africa faces the ongoing toll of criminality, with alarming statistics showing 6,953 murders and over 8,000 rapes in the quarter from October to December 2024, according to police.