A year ago, the mother of a six-year-old South African girl was convicted Kidnapping and trafficking of her daughter.

Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno Van Rhyn were arrested last February from outside Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town.

Abduction and trafficking of Joshlin on Friday, Appollis and Rhyn were also found guilty. All three of them pleaded not guilty to these charges before.

Joshlin's disappearance caused a shock wave across South Africa, and despite her high publicity, she has not been found yet.

During the trial in March, prosecutors accused Smith of “selling, delivering or exchanging” Joshlin, and then lying, then lying.

While reading, Smith wiped his tears, and Van Rhyn smiled inexplicably.

Applause filled the courtroom and some onlookers began to cry.

Judge Nathan Erasmus, who presided over the case, said the trial was held at the multi-purpose center in Saldanha to "ensure that the community has access to the lawsuit."

Before the verdict, nearby roads were closed and police deployed in and around the center.

The trial attracted South Africa, with witnesses and prosecutors making many shocking charges.

The most explosive were Smith's friends and neighbors, who turned to the state witness.

Ms. Lombakad claimed that Smith told her that she did “silly things” and sold Joshlin to a traditional therapist, known as “Sangoma” in South Africa.

Ms Lombakad told the court that "Joshlyn (allegedly) wanted her eyes and skin".

A local pastor testified that in 2023, he heard Smith's mother of three - each selling her children for rand 20,000 ($1,100; £850), although she said she was willing to accept the lower number $275.

Joshlin's teacher then accused Smith in court of law during the search that her daughter had been "on the boat, inside the container, on their way to West Africa".

Smith's attorney Rinesh Sivnarain expressed doubts about the allegations. He cited the contradictions in Ms. Lombakad's remarks - recognized by the accused and suggested that she was an "opportunist".

The defendant chose not to call any witnesses in his defense and did not stand during the trial.

According to the Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007, Sangomas is legally recognized in South Africa, along with herbalists, traditional biological waiters and traditional surgeons.

Some Charats are involved in immoral traditional so-called therapy and are well known to sell good luck charms involving body parts.

Smith discusses allegations of selling her daughter and having problems with drugs that drive vulnerability to children, especially in impoverished communities in South Africa.

In Joshlin's Middlepos community, parents have been telling local media that young girls have been missing for more than a year and they still care about their children's safety.