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03 May, 2025
UDEMWO welcomes justice in the Joshlin Smith case
Media Statement by Thandi Nontenja, MP and UDEMWO Secretary General The United Democratic Movement Women’s Organisation (UDEMWO) welcomes the Western Cape High Court’s conviction of Raquel “Kelly” Smith and her co-accused for the kidnapping and trafficking of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. This judgment is a long-awaited step towards justice for Joshlin and the many South Africans who were shocked and horrified by her disappearance. The verdict confirms what so many in the community feared and suspected: that the very people who were meant to protect Joshlin were in fact the ones who betrayed her in the most vile and inhumane way. There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. This case is a heartbreaking reminder that in this village, a child was not safe. It raises serious questions about the safety and well-being of children in vulnerable communities where social neglect; substance abuse and poverty too often go hand in hand. We commend Judge Nathan Erasmus for his clear and firm judgment, and we salute the community members of Saldanha Bay who searched for Joshlin and have continued to demand justice. We also acknowledge the work of law enforcement in bringing this case to trial and securing a conviction. UDEMWO calls on the Department of Social Development and all relevant government structures under the current Government of National Unity to urgently strengthen community-based child protection systems. Children should never fall through the cracks of a society that claims to care. UDEMWO continues to demand justice not just in courtrooms, but in homes, communities and institutions across the country. Let the memory of Joshlin Smith compel us all to protect the most vulnerable among us. Lastly, while UDEMWO welcomes the guilty verdict, we are deeply disturbed that the whereabouts of Joshlin Smith remain unknown. Justice cannot end with a conviction alone. The guilty must be compelled to tell the truth about what happened to Joshlin. They must reveal where she is and bring her back. The courts have spoken, but the most important question remains unanswered. We demand full accountability, not only for the crime, but for the pain and unanswered questions that continue to haunt her family and community.
