CAPE TOWN - State advocates involved in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial are hopeful the six-year-old will be found.
It’s been just over a week since Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno Van Rhyn were sentenced to life behind bars for the kidnapping and trafficking of the little girl.
She was reported missing on 19 February 2024 and has still not been found.
Prosecutors Advocate Zelda Swanepoel and Advocate Aradhana Heeramun said that, during the trial, they remained hopeful Joshlin would be found.
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"We are still hopeful that something will break and we can solve this case by finding Joshlin," said Heeramun.
"Every single lead is followed up. At no stage did we say this is a cold case. It is still a very active and live investigation.”
Swanepoel said they're clinging to the hope that Joshlin will be found.
"It is very important for us that little Joshlin is found and rescued so that the exploitation can stop."