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| Mulher é condenada à prisão perpétua na África do Sul por vender filha de 6 anos — Foto: AFP |
SALDANHA BAY, SOUTH AFRICA —
A shocking case has gripped South Africa as a local court sentenced Racquel "Kelly" Smith, 35, to life imprisonment for selling her 6-year-old daughter to a traditional healer for just $1,000.
The child, Joshlin Smith, went missing in February 2023 and has never been found. Initially, the mother appeared on national media pleading for help, sparking widespread sympathy and a countrywide search. A government minister even offered a $52,000 reward (equivalent to 1 million rands) for information about the girl’s whereabouts.
But the story took a dark turn when prosecutors revealed that Kelly had actually sold her daughter for about 20,000 rands (around US$1,000) to a healer interested in the child’s eyes and light skin, allegedly for ritualistic purposes.
Judge Nathan Erasmus sentenced Kelly, her boyfriend, and a mutual friend to life in prison for human trafficking. They also received an additional 10-year sentence for kidnapping, to be served concurrently. Their names will be added to the national child protection registry, permanently banning them from contact with minors.
Kelly showed no emotion during the sentencing. Once seen as a grieving mother, she is now viewed by many South Africans with outrage and disgust.
South Africa is battling a deepening crisis of violent crime, and cases of child abduction and trafficking are on the rise—often linked to occult practices and black market rituals.
Source: Globo