Joshlin Smith trial: 'Kelly was willing to sell her children for R5000'

A state witness has testified that Joshlin Smith’s mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, had planned to sell her children in August 2023 for as little as R5,000.

Saldanha Bay resident and evangelist Steven Coetzee shared this information while giving evidence at the Western Cape High Court, which is sitting at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville.

testimony was part of the ongoing trial in which Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn are facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. Their friend and former accused, Laurentia Lombaard, is expected to testify as a state witness.

Coetzee said he first met Kelly in 2016 at a funeral, where he recalled her being loud. They spoke briefly, during which she asked if he could help her find a job "by the white people."

"I didn’t speak to her again until one morning in August 2023. It was just before 7am and I saw her while walking to work. We spoke again.

"I asked her where her children were, and she said they were in Boeta’s care. She told me that it was a bad family, and that was why she planned to have the children taken away.

"I asked where they would be taken and by whom, but she wouldn’t answer.

"She also mentioned that she was waiting for people who were supposed to come to her, but they had let her down. She said that if they came this time and didn’t have the full R20,000, she would settle for R5,000.

"I asked again who would take the children and who would care for them, but she didn’t respond."

Coetzee further testified that Kelly had made a chilling remark about an upcoming incident.

"She assured me that in January or February, Middelpos would look like a movie scene.

"'You will see with your own eyes what will happen in Middelpos, Diazville. It will be like a movie—vehicles, pedestrians, people everywhere. They will search but won’t find anything because I will make the child go far away.'"

Coetzee told the court that on 20 February 2024, he became aware of a missing child but only realised it was Joshlin during a prayer service on March 3.

"I was upset, and I spoke to my wife, who advised me not to get involved.

"In June last year, I spoke to Joshlin’s grandmother, Louretta Yon. I had only seen her on TV before, but I approached her and shared what Kelly had told me. She connected me with the police, but they didn’t take my statement."

Earlier on Wednesday, Joshlin’s teacher, Edna Maart, stunned the court when she revealed that Kelly had claimed a Nigerian man had contacted her and said Joshlin was being transported to West Africa.

"We were at a petrol station before assisting in the search for Joshlin. Kelly got into my car and said she wanted to tell me something in confidence.

"She said a Nigerian man had called her and told her she must act quickly. I asked her how he got her number, but she didn’t reply.

"She then said the man told her to be quick because her daughter was already on a boat, inside a container, on the way to West Africa.

"I asked if she had informed the police, but she didn’t answer. She only said she was scared that the community would kill her."

Maart also described being confused by a comment Kelly made.

"She said, ‘Remember, Boeta is not guilty.’ At that time, I didn’t even know who Boeta was."

Another witness, TikToker Shakeerah ‘Shakes Warrior’ Ganief, testified that Kelly seemed overly protective of Boeta.

"She would be rude and defensive whenever I mentioned him.

"During our first meeting, I asked her if Boeta had done anything to Joshlin. We often hear about cases involving brothers, stepfathers, and grandfathers who rape and kill children, so I wanted to know. But Kelly was abrupt and rude in response."

Ganief has not yet been cross-examined, as Kelly’s lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, said he first needed to consult with his client about video evidence presented in court.

In the footage, Ganief was on Facebook Live with Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie and Kelly. 

When Ganief mentioned Boeta, Kelly’s expression immediately changed. She became visibly angry and frustrated before walking away.

The court was adjourned until Thursday, with the accused remaining in custody.

mandilakhe.tshwete@inl.co.za