‘Missing Joshlin Smith’s Mother Knew Child Was Taken By Nigerian Man’: Teacher Testifies

In a shocking courtroom revelation, Joshlin Smith’s class teacher, Edna Maart, testified on Wednesday that the missing child’s mother, Kelly Smith, allegedly claimed her daughter had been taken by boat to West Africa.

Mysterious Phone Call from a ‘Nigerian Man’

Maart told the Western Cape High Court that a day after six-year-old Joshlin disappeared, Kelly confided in her about receiving a call from a Nigerian man. According to the teacher, Kelly claimed the man told her she needed to act fast because Joshlin was in a container on a boat headed for West Africa.

“I asked how the Nigerian man knew her number, but she didn’t reply,” Maart said. “She told me she was scared the community would kill her.”

Kelly’s Defense and Connection to the Accused

Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn are currently facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. During her testimony, Maart also recalled Kelly insisting that Boeta was not guilty, even before Maart knew who he was.

Smith’s lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, later claimed that the “Nigerian man” Kelly referred to was actually a “medium” named Johan.

Teacher’s First Contact with Kelly After Joshlin Went Missing

Maart recounted how she first learnt of Joshlin’s disappearance through a WhatsApp message at 4:30 AM. She immediately contacted Kelly, who was crying but did not answer her questions about Joshlin’s whereabouts.

“When I called her later, she was at the police station, so I gave her space. Then, hours later, she got into my car and told me about the phone call.”

This latest testimony adds another disturbing layer to the case as the trial continues at the White City Multipurpose Centre.

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