Tears flowed on the second day of sentencing proceedings for the convicted traffickers of Joslin Smith, including from her mother, Kelly Smith. This, after a victim impact testimony from the woman who wanted to adopt the little girl, was read in court.
In it, Natasha Andrews shared her heartbreak over the disappearance of Joslin, whom she loved and treated as her own child.
Kelly, her co-accused, boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Apollis, and pal Steven van Rhyn are currently awaiting Judge Nathan Erasmus’s decision.
Joslin went missing outside her tin shack in the informal settlement of Middelpos in Diazville, Saldanha Bay on 19 February 2024.. She is believed to have been sold and trafficked at the hands of her mother.
JOSLIN SMITH’S ‘FOSTER MOM’
On Wednesday, 28 May, a victim impact statement was read out in court, written by a Saldanha Bay woman who claimed to be Joslin Smith’s “foster mom”.
The statement was part of court proceedings, where Western Cape High Court Judge Nathan Erasmus is deliberating over his sentence, which will be handed down this week.
While her statement was read out, Natasha Andrews hid her face as she wept in the gallery.
A part of it, addressed to Joslin, read: “Do you have a bed to sleep in. And are you being taken care of? Wondering if you are still calling out to us?
“Do you have water where you are?… Are you warm enough where you are?”.
Describing her pain as her “heart being outside her chest”, Natasha revealed that Joslin’s disappearance had impacted her whole family.
“We just want to hug you again and hear your voice. Joslin, you are our flower, our baby daughter,” the message continued.
Following the statement, a video montage of Joslin visiting Natasha Andrews and her family was played before the court.
“The world must hear your voice and laughter as well”, Natasha added.
NOT A DRY EYE IN SIGHT
Not only did Natasha Andrews hide her tears in court, but so did Kelly Smith, who is accused of being the “mastermind” of Joslin’s disappearance.
The court interpreter also visibly broke down several times when translating Natasha’s emotional account.
‘JOSLIN WAS LOVED, AND SHE LOVED US’
A month after Joslin Smith’s disappearance last year, Natasha Andrews and her husband, Lionel, went public with their story about wanting to adopt the little girl.
The couple, who also lived in Saldanha Bay and knew Kelly from childhood, often took the grade one learner to sleep over at their home, where she had her own bed.
According to reports, the Andrews family gifted her clothing, school supplies, and trips with their own children.
They were also credited for the blue debutante dress Joslin was seen wearing in pictures posted on social media, which they had specially made for her.
The Andrews family attempted to adopt Joslin in the hopes of giving her a “stable home.” However, her mother, Kelly, barred them.
In a clip posted on TikTok, Natasha said she decided to speak out to quell rumours that Joslin was neglected and unwanted.
Natasha said in the video: “I loved Joslin like my own child. People are saying there was no one there for Joslin…. People must know that Joslin was loved, and she loved us.
“We were there for her, and we did everything we could for her. She was like another child in our home.”
WHAT SENTENCE ARE YOU HOPING JOSLIN’S TRAFFICKERS RECEIVE?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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