Joshlin Smith Two Years Later: The silent victims of a tragic crime

While the nation has been pleading for answers after the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, many tend to forget she was not an only child. 

Joshlin disappeared on February 19, 2024. 

While three people, including her own mother, Kelly Smith, have been convicted and sentenced for her kidnapping and trafficking, there still seems to be no sign of Joshlin.

While many have been affected by this crime, the people most directly affected are Joshlin’s siblings. Her older brother and younger sister. 

At the time of Joshlin’s disappearance, she and her older brother did not go to school that day. 

Her younger sister, however, was taken to daycare, as reported not only by Kelly but also by many others who witnessed it. 

At the time of her disappearance, Joshlin’s older brother was gone from home and playing with his friends in Diazville. 

It is unclear if the children are aware of what happened to their sister, but in April 2025, the court heard the siblings had been taken to a place of safety. 

It was later revealed that they had been placed in the care of relatives in another province. 

While many would argue that the children are better off without Kelly, who has been described as an excessive drug user, what many cannot deny is that she indeed always took care of her children. 

Testimony before the court was that while Kelly may have been a character involved in illegal dealings, she always ensured her children were clean, fed, and alongside her. 

While social services may have seemingly failed Joshlin, the Department of Social Development (DSD) did step in to assist her siblings. 

Speaking to IOL, the head of communications for DSD in the Western Cape, Esther Lewis, said she cannot divulge any details from the case. 

“The department can't provide details of the case; however, can we confirm that the children are being cared for. Generally, when children are placed in foster care, there will be follow-up home visits from social workers to ensure their needs are being met. The visits include interviews with both the foster parents and children, where they are able to speak for themselves. The department’s social workers have recently made an effort to place greater emphasis on the voice of the child in alternative care,” Lewis said. 

When asked how DSD helps if a child returns after disappearance, Lewis said: “In that scenario, upon their return, the child would be medically assessed and provided with the necessary care if needed. The child would be assessed by a social worker. 

“Interventions will be based on the outcome of the assessment, and based on the child's best interest. Psychosocial support would be offered to the child and family,” Lewis said. 

Many children suffer silently, and if you are a guardian, parent, or member of the public, you are urged to safeguard any child if suspicions arise. 

“Anyone aware of child neglect and/ or abuse can report it to their nearest DSD local office, or designated child protection organisation. While we do provide community-based programmes to at-risk children where they have access to social service professionals who the children themselves can report to, we depend on families, neighbours, and vigilant community members to be our eyes and ears on the ground,” Lewis said. 

Suspected abuse can also be reported to a child’s school, religious leaders, or community leaders, who would refer the matter to DSD. 

Lewis said the department has been rolling out the gender-based violence (GBV) ambassador programme in several communities across the Western Cape. 

“Ambassadors have been trained on the reporting process and are equipped with information about resources in their communities, and do door-to-door and other community awareness initiatives. They can be identified by their orange sashes,” Lewis said. 

Organisations such as Childline can be contacted on 116, or the DSD’s hotline at 0800 220 250 for more information. 

Anyone suspected abuse or negligence is also urged to go to their nearest police station or contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111.

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IOL