- Joshlin’s mother and two others found guilty of trafficking her to a traditional healer.
- The court sentenced them to life imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping.
- Judge said their drug habits did not justify the crime and showed no mercy.
- The three will be added to the South African child protection list.
- The child is still missing, and chances of finding her alive are low.
Joshlin’s case started with a huge public outcry and sympathy when she was reported missing from her home in Saldanha Bay, a calm fishing area located north of Cape Town. What first seemed like a tragic disappearance later turned into a disturbing case of betrayal and cruelty.
Investigations uncovered that her mother had handed her over to a traditional healer. The reason? Her daughter’s light skin and green eyes. Reports say she was sold for 20,000 rand (ksh145,000) — money exchanged for a human life.
The Western Cape High Court didn’t go easy on the suspects. Judge Nathan Erasmus gave all three accused — the mother, her boyfriend, and their friend — life sentences for trafficking, plus another 10 years each for kidnapping. These will run together.
Judge Blasts Accused for Lack of Regret
During the court session, Judge Erasmus said there was no good reason to reduce the sentence. He stated that their drug usage did not excuse their crime, calling their actions “without any sense of humanity.”
The mother, who is 35 years old, showed no emotion as the sentence was being read. The judge said she was “manipulative” and clearly unremorseful.
Their names will now appear on the country’s child protection register, meaning they can never work with or be trusted around children again.
After the judgment, the court gallery broke into cheers. Joshlin’s grandmother, Amanda Smith Daniels, attended the hearing wearing a shirt with the little girl’s photo printed on it — a heartbreaking reminder of who the real victim is.
Authorities say the search for Joshlin has now expanded beyond South Africa, but hopes of finding her alive are fading with each passing day.
