NPA welcomes life sentences in Joshlin Smith case
The National Prosecuting Authority has welcomed the life sentences handed down to Steveno van Rhyn, Jacquen Appolis and Joshlin Smith's mother, Kelly Smith, in the High Court in Saldanha Bay.
Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus handed down the heavy sentences to the trio on Thursday.
Erasmus delivered the sentences at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay, describing the crimes as "devoid of humanity" and citing a complete lack of mitigating circumstances.
The three were found guilty in connection with the disappearance of Smith in February last year.
Despite the convictions, the young girl remains missing.
Speaking to the media, Nicolette Bell, Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, said the outcome is the result of the community working together.
"We are very happy about the sentence. This week is Child Protection Week, and this case is a testimony to the NPA's effectiveness in protecting the rights of children.
"The theme of Child Protection Week is South Africa's children, it's all of our responsibility, that is also what the judge spoke to us about today.
"Sadly, six-year-old Joslin Smith is still missing. We urge the community and everybody to continue looking for her. Today's result is also a testimony of what happens if community stakeholders and everybody work together as a collective. Then we have positive outcomes like this.
"The judge, in his own words, said the community wants their dignity back. They were instrumental in getting their dignity back and in the search for Joslin Smith."
Meanwhile, Western Cape Police Commissioner Tembisile Patekile said the search for Joslin will continue.
"We will not rest until we find what happened to Joslin, we are continuing day and night looking for Joslin and we're still appealing to everybody that let's work together to find the missing child and all other missing child out there that have not had the opportunity to have a case brought forward like today (Thursday).
"We stand together as a country, as citizens and community and all concerned South Africans, also all human beings, our parents and grandparents, that we have to protect our children and the vulnerable."
Judge Erasmus also ordered that the trio’s names be entered into the National Child Protection Register, barring them from working with children in the future.
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