The investigation into the disappearance of six-year-old Joslin Smith continues to capture national attention, even after her mother and two others were convicted of her kidnapping. In a renewed effort to uncover her whereabouts, South African police recently excavated the remains of a burned-down shack in Middelpos, Western Cape, where Joslin once lived.
The operation took place on Sunday, May 4, 2025, following persistent rumours suggesting that Joslin may have been buried beneath the structure. The house, which belonged to her mother, Kelly Smith, was set on fire just days earlier, on Friday, May 2, shortly after Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, and co-accused Steveno van Rhyn were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking.
Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, the provincial police spokesperson, confirmed that detectives, aided by municipal workers from Saldanha Bay, conducted a thorough search of the site. However, no new evidence or clues were uncovered during the dig.
The burned home had become a point of concern for the local community. Some residents feared it was being used as a drug den, while others were haunted by the possibility that Joslin’s remains might have been hidden beneath it. One resident noted that had the structure not been destroyed, the mystery might have continued to weigh heavily on the community.
Monique Kekana, a woman suspected of setting the house on fire, has since been arrested. She appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court and remains in custody, with her next court appearance scheduled for May 12.
Despite the fire, authorities confirmed that the blaze did not impact earlier forensic efforts. According to investigators, critical evidence was already collected during the early stages of the investigation into Joslin’s disappearance.
The trial of Kelly Smith and her co-accused revealed disturbing claims. Witness Lourencia Lombaard testified that a sangoma had expressed interest in Joslin for ritualistic purposes, specifically targeting her eyes and skin. Advocate Rinesh Sivnarain further accused Lombaard of masterminding the abduction. Meanwhile, defence lawyers alleged that some of the statements made by the accused were coerced by police.
Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that the confessions by Appollis and van Rhyn were admissible, a key factor in the conviction. All three accused were ultimately found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking.
As the verdicts were handed down, social media was flooded with footage of the fire consuming the Middelpos home. The case continues to stir public outrage and fear, especially as the whereabouts of young Joslin remain unknown.
Authorities urge anyone with credible information to come forward. For now, police vow to pursue every lead in hopes of bringing resolution to a case that has shaken the community of Saldanha Bay—and the nation at large.