The Unaccountable Disappearance of Joslin Smith

3 mins read
south africa joslin smith

A six-year-old girl named Joslin Smith has gone missing from her home in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, leaving her South African community in shock. Her disappearance has been reported globally due to conflicting testimonies between her mother and her mother’s partner, Jacquin Appollis. Both were arrested on charges of human trafficking and kidnapping, along with two others. The investigation continues as the community seeks justice for Joslin.

The Unaccountable Disappearance of Joslin Smith

A South African Community Reeling from Shock

Joslin Smith, a six-year-old girl from Diazville, Saldanha Bay, disappeared from her home on February 19th. Her disappearance has shocked not only her South African community but also reverberated globally. Conflicting testimonies between her mother and her mother’s partner, Jacquin Appollis, have heightened ambiguity around the case. Kelly and Appollis, along with two others, were arrested on charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. The investigation continues while the community seeks justice for Joslin.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

A South African Community Reeling from Shock

A sudden disappearance of a small six-year-old girl, Joslin Smith, from her modest dwelling in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, has profoundly impacted not only her unpretentious South African neighborhood but also has reverberated far beyond its confines. The unfolding news of her disappearance has rapidly spread across global media channels, unravelling a harrowing story of carelessness and alleged illicit acts, resulting in a deeply affected community and a household plunged into chaos.

Joslin’s home, a basic makeshift habitation crafted primarily out of wood and tin, was located in the midst of the random buildings dotting the terrain of this casual settlement. This is where she shared her life with her mother, Kelly, her two siblings, and her mother’s partner, Jacquin Appollis, who was fondly referred to as “Boeta”. Although the home was relatively small, it encapsulated the simple, everyday hustle and bustle of life until the day Joslin went missing on February 19th.

The Fateful Day of Disappearance

The day of Joslin’s disappearance started like any other ordinary day. Joslin was feeling sick and stayed home in the care of Appollis while her mother was at work. According to Kelly, she came back home at 5 p.m. to find both Appollis and Joslin were not at home. Appollis later informed local media that he had spent the whole day at home with Joslin, and said that Joslin was last seen at 2 p.m. when she went to a neighbor’s house to play.

However, what seemed to be a harmless sequence of events quickly escalated into a whirlpool of allegations and doubts. As the evening approached, the alarm was sounded over Joslin’s nonappearance, and her vanishing was promptly reported to the local authorities.

Unsettling Findings and Inconsistencies

As one delves into the story, conflicting accounts of the occurrences that day surface, forming a deeply troubling scenario. The narrative is punctuated with discrepancies, particularly between the versions of events shared by Kelly and Appollis. The inconsistencies between the two testimonies intensified the ambiguity surrounding Joslin’s sudden disappearance.

As time progressed, the local community banded together, disseminating images and footage of their tireless search for the little girl. A recurring image in these field updates was the modest dwelling of Joslin, its lone window serving as a stark reminder of her conspicuous absence.

A Sinister Turn of Events

The ongoing investigation took a chilling turn. Kelly and Appollis, along with two other individuals, were subsequently arrested and arraigned on charges of human trafficking and kidnapping. This development in the case marked a grave twist in the tale. The four suspects, currently under police detention, are scheduled to face their trial in the Vredenburg Magistrate Court on March 13th.

Thus, the story of Joslin Smith, a young girl from a humble home in Diazville, has evolved into a haunting tale. It serves as a stark reminder of the darker aspects of society, where children vanish under the watchful eyes of their supposed guardians. The community continues to wrestle with the unsettling reality of Joslin’s disappearance. The quest for the truth presses on, in the hope that justice will eventually be served.

1. Who is Joslin Smith?

Joslin Smith is a six-year-old girl who disappeared from her home in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, South Africa on February 19th.

2. What happened on the day of Joslin’s disappearance?

Joslin stayed home with her mother’s partner, Jacquin Appollis, while her mother was at work because Joslin was feeling sick. Her mother returned home at 5 p.m. to find both Joslin and Appollis were not at home. Appollis later claimed that he had spent the whole day at home with Joslin, and said that Joslin was last seen at 2 p.m. when she went to a neighbor’s house to play.

3. What are the inconsistencies in the testimonies of Joslin’s mother and her mother’s partner?

There are conflicting accounts of the occurrences that day. The inconsistencies between the two testimonies increased the ambiguity surrounding Joslin’s sudden disappearance.

4. What charges have been filed in relation to Joslin’s disappearance?

Kelly and Appollis, along with two other individuals, were arrested and arraigned on charges of human trafficking and kidnapping.

5. When is the trial for the four suspects scheduled to take place?

The four suspects are scheduled to face their trial in the Vredenburg Magistrate Court on March 13th.

6. How has Joslin’s disappearance affected her community?

Joslin’s disappearance has shocked not only her South African community but also reverberated globally. The community continues to wrestle with the unsettling reality of Joslin’s disappearance and seeks justice for her.

Hannah Kriel is a Cape Town-born journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food scene—from Bo-Kaap spice routes to Constantia vineyards—for local and international outlets. When she’s not interviewing chefs or tracking the harvest on her grandparents’ Stellenbosch farm, you’ll find her surfing the Atlantic breaks she first rode as a schoolgirl.

Previous Story

The Springboks’ Ascent Towards World Cup Glory

Next Story

The Might of National Planning: The Journey of South Africa

Latest from Blog

Forty Metres of Air: The Morning Kiteboarding Rewrote Physics

Hugo Wigglesworth, a young kiteboarder, defied gravity and rewrote the record books by soaring an incredible 40 meters into the air. He used powerful winds, a perfectly timed jump off a wave, and special gear to achieve this amazing feat. His careful planning and hundreds of practice runs made him fly higher than anyone before, showing the world what’s possible in kiteboarding.

Airbnb Under Fire: How Cape Town’s Housing Crunch Became a Tourism Blame-Game

Cape Town’s housing woes are NOT really Airbnb’s fault, even though a viral photo tried to blame them! The real problem is that not enough homes are being built, and lots of new people are moving to the city. Getting building permits takes forever, making homes expensive. Airbnb brings in lots of money and jobs, and even if all Airbnbs disappeared, it wouldn’t fix the big housing shortage. The city needs to build more homes and make it easier to do so, not just point fingers at tourists.

Cape Town’s Hottest Tables: Where Summer Tastes Like Salt, Smoke and Midnight Vinyl

Cape Town’s new restaurants are super exciting, offering amazing tastes from the ocean, farms, and even old recipes. Places like Amura serve unique sea dishes, while Tannin has a huge wine list and tiny plates. Café Sofi bakes heavenly pastries, Beach Buns makes awesome burgers, and Le Bistrot de JAN mixes French and South African flavors. These spots let you taste the city’s lively food scene, from fancy dinners to casual beach eats, making every meal an adventure.

Between Concrete and Current – Four Inland Hearts Meet the Indian Ocean

This article tells a beautiful story of four South Africans from inland places who see the Indian Ocean for the very first time. For many, the sea is just a picture, far away and hard to reach. But when these brave people finally touch the salty water, it changes them deeply. They feel the ocean’s power, taste its salt, and understand that this huge, blue world is now a part of their own story, breaking down old ideas about who can connect with the sea.