Johannesburg — South African authorities on Thursday charged the mother of a missing six-year-old with trafficking and kidnapping after her daughter disappeared in a case that has gripped the nation.
Joshlin Rachelin Smith went missing in Saldanha Bay, a fishing town 135 kilometres north of Cape Town in February, sparking a massive search operation. She remains missing.
Police arrested the girl’s mother and her partner a day before they appeared before a magistrate’s court on Thursday along with two other suspects. All four have been charged with trafficking and kidnapping.
Teddy Bear Clinic director Dr Shaheda Omar and A21 country manager Katie Modrau say it is not surprising that Joslin Smith’s mother and her boyfriend are suspects in the case relating to her disappearance.
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“They are charged with trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping,” the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said.
Police and an army of volunteers have for weeks combed the Saldanha Bay area for the missing child.
Authorities in the crime-ridden nation on Wednesday arrested her mother, Racquel Smith, 33, and three others, including the woman’s boyfriend.
Local media reported Smith is accused of selling her daughter to a traditional healer, locally known as a “sangoma”, for about R20 000($1 000).
The four suspects were remanded into custody and the case adjourned to March 13 for a bail application, the NPA said.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Facebook/HASHTAG SA UNITE
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