**Young South African Girl's Disappearance Linked to Traditional Healer Demand**

**Joshlin Smith's case continues to unfold in South Africa, raising critical discussions about social issues and cultural beliefs amidst tragic circumstances.**

A heart-wrenching case has emerged in South Africa involving the disappearance of a six-year-old girl, Joshlin Smith, who went missing in February 2024 from her home in Saldanha Bay. A trial is ongoing for her mother, Kelly Smith, and two others accused of kidnapping and human trafficking. The shocking revelations that have surfaced signal deeper societal issues, particularly concerning traditional beliefs and economic desperation.

During the proceedings, which have now reached their third week, disturbing allegations surfaced. A local pastor suggested that Ms. Smith had previously expressed a willingness to sell her children for as little as 20,000 rand ($1,100), indicating a troubling desperation driven by financial struggles. Her daughter, with distinctive blue-green eyes and a fair complexion, was reportedly wanted for her "eyes and skin" by a traditional healer, a figure in local culture known as a "sangoma". This assertion, made by a neighbor turned state witness, has shocked many and has sparked broader discussions on the practices and beliefs associated with traditional healing in South Africa.

Court testimony described Ms. Smith's calm demeanor during the initial search and raised questions about her willingness to alert authorities, with reports indicating that she only contacted the police six hours after the child was reported missing. The claims of selling her child and a chilling confession about the circumstances surrounding Joshlin's disappearance have led to serious implications for the perceptions of traditional practices and their potential exploitation.

Traditional healers, recognized under the Traditional Health Practitioners Act of 2007, occupy a critical position in South African culture. However, cases like Joshlin's highlight the potential for abuse and illicit activities masked under the guise of cultural healing. Ms. Lombaard, the former friend of Kelly Smith, appealed to audiences for compassion toward the missing girl, urging whoever took Joshlin to return her safely.

The trial, which is expected to conclude by the end of March, has stirred widespread media attention and public discourse, raising vital questions around how economic hardship and cultural beliefs intersect in alarming ways. As the search for Joshlin continues, her story remains a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children within their communities.