Western Cape police have confirmed that they registered a case of arson for investigation after Joslin Smith’s home in Middelpos was destroyed in a fire on Friday night.
The incident came just hours after Kelly and her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn were found guilty of kidnapping and human trafficking over the little girl’s disappearance.
JOSLIN SMITH’S HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE
The South African previously reported that the young girl went missing from her home in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February 2024. At the time, she was under the care of her mother’s boyfriend.
The three suspects were arrested just days after the young girl disappeared, and they abandoned their bail applications. They faced four counts of human trafficking and kidnapping.
Delivering the judgement at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Diazville Judge Nathan Erasmus said the state was able to prove beyond reasonable doubt the guilt of the three accused in counts 1 and 2.
On count 1, he found them guilty of trafficking in persons. They were also found guilty of kidnapping, which was count 2.
Regarding the fire, Western Cape police said an adult female was taken in for questioning following the fire.
Saldanha Bay mayor Andre Truter said although the firefighters were able to put out the flames, Joslin Smith’s home was completely destroyed and fortunately, no one was injured.
Truter said there was no public violence reported in the area ahead of the incident and on whether this was triggered by the judgment delivered earlier on Friday, he said he cannot comment on that.
DO YOU HAVE HOPE THAT JOSLIN SMITH WILL ONE DAY RETURN HOME?
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