ON Thursday, 29 May 2025, Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus handed down life sentences to three individuals found guilty of young Joslin Smith's kidnapping.
Those convicted include her mum, Kelly Smith, her mum's boyfriend, Jacquen "Boeta" Appollis, and his associate, Steveno van Rhyn.
All three were sentenced to life imprisonment for their roles in the abduction of Joslin, who was a grade 1 pupil at the time of her disappearance.
Joslin vanished on 19 February 2024 after being left in the care of Appollis.
He later claimed she had gone outside to play and never returned. While initially it was believed Smith was at work during the incident, the trial revealed this was not the case. Furthermore, it emerged that Joslin had not attended school regularly.
Judge Erasmus remarked that Appollis had shown no remorse or concern for the missing child.
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He noted the absence of any mitigating circumstances, stating that Appollis continued to lie, even on the eve of sentencing.
Regarding Van Rhyn, the judge referenced pre-sentencing testimony by probation officer Errol Daniel Pietersen, who stated that Van Rhyn appeared entirely indifferent to Joslin's fate. Erasmus expressed disappointment that Van Rhyn, himself a father, displayed such callousness.
Smith, the judge observed, also failed to demonstrate genuine remorse, save for an emotional moment during the hearing when Joslin's teacher delivered a victim impact statement.
The court took note that Smith had completed her matric, unlike the co-accused.
"In personal circumstances alone, I don't see any mitigation factors," said Judge Erasmus.
The judge emphasised the severity of kidnapping a six-year-old kid, describing it as a grave offence.
Another accused Laurentia Lombaard, who turned state witness, will be sentenced separately.
Judge Erasmus noted that Lombaard fed Joslin and saw her distress but did nothing to intervene.
He said although the court recognises the trio's drug use at the time of the crime, it does not serve as an excuse.
"They had an opportunity to tell the truth in court but chose denial, leaving the court with no choice but to impose the maximum sentence," he said.
All three will be listed in the National Child Offenders Register.
Van Rhyn was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
