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Kelly Smith appears at the Western Cape High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay on April 23, 2025.
A female suspect has been taken in for questioning after a fire burned down the Middelpos home of Kelly Smith.
Smith was yesterday convicted alongside her co-accused, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, for the kidnapping and trafficking of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith.
Police spokesperson Malcom Pojie says officers in Saldanha Bay have opened a case of arson for investigation.
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Advocate Nicolette Bell has attributed the successful conviction of Kelly Smith and her co-accused to the hard work of the prosecution team.
They are expected to appear in court again next Friday for pre-sentencing proceedings.
Judge Nathan Erasmus found them guilty on charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.
Bell says it’s a landmark verdict.
“Human trafficking is rife and the legislation is new and this is a landmark decision for us. From here on we can still build. But tragically the little girl, Joshlin is still out there. So, the search for her must continue.”
