Six-year-old Joshlin Smith went missing from her home. Her mum had sold her for money.

It was February 2024 in Saldanha Bay, Cape Town, when Joshlin Smith was seen for the last time. 

The six-year-old mysteriously disappeared from her hometown, sparking a highly publicised search for her. 

It would take over a year to see justice served.

On Thursday, her mother, South African woman Racquel "Kelly" Smith, was found guilty of kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin, alongside accomplices, boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn. 

All three will face extended jail time for their crimes, despite prosecutors being unable to definitively prove that she was sold into slavery. 

The eight-week trial has made waves in South Africa, with numerous witnesses providing testimonies to help secure the conviction. 

According to the BBC, it is believed that Smith, who was addicted to drugs, had been in need of money prior to Joshlin's disappearance. 

One of the breakthrough moments was when her friend and neighbour, Lourentia Lombaard, became a state witness. 

She gave testimony that Smith had told her she did 'something silly' and sold Joshlin to a 'sangoma', a term referring to a traditional healer and spiritual advisor. 

Horrifically, Lomard told the court that the person who allegedly bought Joshlin wanted her "for her eyes and skin". 

In addition, a local pastor testified that he had heard Smith discuss selling her children in 2023, for roughly 20,000 rand (approximately $1,724 AUD), though added she was willing to accept less.

Joshlin's teacher also alleged that she heard Smith say her daughter was "on a ship, inside a container, and they were on the way to West Africa".

Prosecutors have not revealed the identity of the person who allegedly bought Joshlin, nor have they found her body. 

Local media were given a statement by police about the search for her. Western Cape police commissioner Thembisile Patekile told them, "We will not rest until we find [out] what happened to Joshlin. We are continuing day and night looking for her."

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said its team had proven that she was "sold [and] delivered to the intended buyer" for "exploitation, namely slavery or practices similar to slavery", per the BBC. 

The judge in the case, Judge Erasmus, told the court that he could find no reason not to give full sentences to the accused. 

Smith refused to testify at any point throughout the weeks-long trial, and nor did her accomplices call any witnesses for their defence.

"There is nothing that I can find that is redeeming or deserving of a lesser sentence," he said, per the publication. 

He added that the community was left divided after the girl's disappearance. 

Featured image: Executive Mayor Andrè Truter/ Facebook