“South Africa: Mother and Boyfriend Charged with Trafficking in Joslin Smith Disappearance”

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"South Africa: Mother and Boyfriend Charged with Trafficking in Joslin Smith Disappearance"

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The mother of a six-year-old girl who has been missing in South Africa since 19 February has been charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.

Kelly Smith was charged along with her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, and two others following their arrest. Ms. Smith’s daughter, Joslin, disappeared outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town.

The four accused appeared in court but were not asked to plead in a case that has transfixed South Africans. A huge crowd gathered outside the court, chanting, “Bring back Joslin.”

The prosecution alleges that Ms. Smith instructed Mr. Appollis and another accused, Stefano van Rhyn, to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £835).

A child goes missing every five hours in South Africa, but most are found. Joslin has not yet been located despite a massive search operation involving the navy, drones, and sniffer dogs. Police said the search for her was continuing.

On Saturday, investigators found bloodied clothing in an open field in the area where Joslin disappeared over a fortnight ago. Ms. Smith and her co-accused, one of whom has been identified by local media as a traditional healer, have been remanded in custody until 13 March, when a bail application is due to be heard. They have all said they would apply for legal aid.

In a widely condemned practice, some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, claiming they can cure people of illnesses or improve their fortunes.

Ms. Smith had previously told the local publication The Daily Voice that she had not given up hope of finding her daughter following her disappearance outside their home in an informal settlement.

“My motherly instincts are telling me my daughter is still alive and in this area. We will find her; I will walk on foot to find her. I will look in every little shack; I’m going to do it by myself if I have to.”

Frantic community members searched sewers and pits in the days following the girl’s disappearance. Saldanha Bay Mayor André Truter said an angry mob had been raiding homes and accosting neighbors in search of the child.

A 100,000 rand reward has been offered to anyone with information on her whereabouts.

Joslin was left in the care of Mr. Appollis when she went missing. He has previously denied involvement in her disappearance.