South African woman gets a life term to sell 6 -year -old daughter
SALDANHA: A South African court on Thursday sentenced a woman to stay in jail for kidnapping and selling her six -year -old daughter, which frightened the country. Joshlin Smith had gone missing from his home in Saladan Bay, 135 km north of Cape Town in February last year, and never found. His mother, the racket “Kelly” Smith, was found guilty of kidnapping and selling a young girl, allegedly for 20,000 rand ($ 1,100). Judge Nathan Erasmus ruled that 35-year-old Smith, and two of his co-composed friends and mutual friends were also jailed for life for human trafficking. They were all sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for kidnapping. “I am also ordering the entry of my name in the Child Protection Register,” said Irasmus. Smith was present in the court and sat through an hour -long proceedings with an emotional gaze.She was initially a figure of sympathy when her child disappeared, spewing a massive nationwide search operation. Pictures showing Joshlin’s striking green eyes, broad smile and brown pigtail flooded on the internet. The case attracted national attention, including a minister, who offered him a million-rand ($ 54,000) reward for a safe return. But this took a turn when the prosecutors alleged that Smith sold his daughter to a traditional healer, who was interested in her eyes and fair colors. South Africa has the highest crime rate in the world and kidnapping of children is increasing.
