SALDANHA BAY - The sentencing of Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn is taking place on Thursday.
Judge Nathan Erasmus is due to sentence the three, who he convicted of kidnapping and trafficking Joshlin Smith in Middlepos last year.
The state has asked for a life sentence for all three.
READ: Justice for Joshlin | Probation officer asks for maximum sentences
Victim impact reports were read in court, including from Kelly Smith’s mother, from the woman who wanted to adopt Joshlin, as well as the little girl's school teacher.
Lawyers for all three convicts asked the court not to impose the prescribed life in prison sentence for kidnapping, saying the trio could still be rehabilitated.