‘She was loved’: Woman who wanted to adopt Joslin Smith speaks

South Africans – and the world at large – have been left angered and heartbroken over how a mother could possibly sell her child. But according to Natasha Andrews – the woman who wanted to adopt Joslin Smith – the little girl was loved and wanted in her home.

‘She was loved’: Woman who wanted to adopt Joslin Smith speaks Andrews has revealed that her family wanted to take in the six-yearold as their own. However, they were denied by her mother, Kelly.

This week marks one month since Joslin disappeared from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Diazville, Saldanha Bay. Despite extensive searches by police, professionals, and the community, she has yet to be found. 

Four suspects – including her mother and her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, as well as friends Steveno Van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard, have been arrested for kidnapping and human trafficking. They are currently in custody

JOSLIN SMITH ‘OTHER FAMILY’ SPEAKS

In a TikTok video, Natasha Andrews revealed that she and her husband Lionel had loved Joslin Smith like their own daughter.

The couple, who also lived in Saldanha Bay and knew Kelly from childhood, often took the grade one learner to sleep over at their home, where she had her own bed

According to the charity organisation Hashtag SA Unite, the Andrews family also gifted her clothing, school supplies, and trips with their own children.

They were also credited for the blue debutante dress Joslin is seen wearing in pictures posted on social media, which they had specially made for her.

In the clip, Natasha said she decided to speak out to quell rumours that Joslin was neglected and

Natasha said in the video: “I loved Joslin like my own child. People are saying there was no one there for Joslin….people must know that Joslin was loved, and she loved us

“We were there for her, and we did everything we could for her. She was like another child in our home.”

Natasha added that it had been “difficult” to process Joslin Smith’s disappearance and allegations she had been “sold.”

According to Kaya FM, the Andrews family attempted to adopt Joslin in the hopes of giving her a “stable home”. However, they were barred by her mother, Kelly.

SOLD TO A SANGOMA, SAYS NEIGHBOUR

Meanwhile, a former employer of Joslin Smith’s mother Kelly has also spoken out.

David Louw – who is also a Diazville community resident – claims Kelly was approached by sangomas, who wanted to purchase the green-eyed girl. 

Speaking to Patriotic Alliance’s Ashley Sauls – fondly known as “Oom Biza” via Facebook Live – Louw claimed that Kelly, who cleaned his home, often mentioned the offers to him. 

Louw believes Joslin was mistaken for a person with Albinism. He also believed that witchcraft was linked to the disappearance. He said: “What’s happening to Kelly is heartbreaking. She’s is not herself, she has been bewitched”. 

“I warned her to stay away from them.”

FOURTH SUSPECT LINKED TO DISAPPEARANCE

On Monday, 18 March, a fourth suspect – Lourentia Lombaard appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrates court on charges relating to Joslin Smith’s disappearance. 

According to the Daily Voice, the 33-year-old woman has made a “full confession” to the state. No other details were given. 

Lombaard will remain in custody until her next appearance on 25 March. 

Meanwhile, Kelly and the two other accused will appear in court again on 13 May pending an investigation.