Was Joslin Smith mistaken for a child with Albinism?

With her fair skin, blonde hair, and green eyes, many believe Joslin Smith’s disappearance is linked to her physical appearance. Others claim she was possibly mistaken identity for a person living with Albinism.

Sharing this opinion was a neighbour of the family, who believes Joslin’s mother, Kelly, was offered money in exchange for the missing girl.

Joslin disappeared from her home in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February. Despite extensive searches by police, professionals, and the community, she has yet to be found.

However, Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, and a friend, Steveno Van Rhyn, have been arrested for kidnapping and human trafficking.

A fourth person – a female – has been added to the accused and appeared before the court on Monday, 18 March.

WAS JOSLIN SMITH MISTAKEN FOR PERSON WITH ALBINISM?

According to Gayton McKenzie, Joslin Smith was likely targeted over her fair features.

Speaking in a Facebook Live over the weekend, the Patriotic Alliance leader – who has been actively searching for the little girl over the past month – believes human traffickers or possibly sangomas – were attracted to her “European” looks.

“A man wanted a child who looked like a white person,” he said of his questioning of a possible lead in the investigation.

Meanwhile, David Louw – who is a neighbour of the family – claims Kelly was approached by sangomas, who wanted to purchase little Joslin Smith.

Speaking to Patriotic Alliance’s Ashley Sauls – fondly known as “Oom Biza” – 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.”

@tifftheelee JOSLIN UPDATE!!DAVID IS BEING TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL AS HE GOT HURT IN THE CHAOS BETWEEN POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY OUTSIDE COURT TODAY. #joslinsmith #joslin #fyp #foryou #missing #tifftheelee ♬ original sound – Tiffany-Lee

MUTI KILLINGS IN SA

In South Africa and other parts of the African continent, kidnappings and killing of people living with Albinism – particularly children – have been widely documented.

In 2018, 13-year-old Gabisile Shabane was kidnapped from her home in Witbank. She was murdered for her body parts to be used in muti, reported TimesLive. Her body had been mutilated in an attempt to make a “get-rich-quick potion.”

In 2011, 14-year-old Sibusiso Nhatave went missing from his home in KwaZulu-Natal, as did four-year-old Maneliswa Ntombela, also from the same province, reported IOL. Both boys had Albinism and were never seen again.

According to traditional healer Lukholo Hombelithongo Mrwetyana – witch doctors who practise dark magic – make use of body parts.

He told Health For Mzansi: “People living with albinism, virgin girls, and those with zero chronic illnesses are particularly vulnerable to these practices.”

Another traditional healer, Lindiwe Mabuza, told The South African that a “witch” could have taken interest in Joslin Smith. 

However, Mabuza – who practises with herbs, not body parts – urged the public to educate themselves.

Appealing to the public, she added: “Please try and understand the difference between sangoma [traditional healers] and witches, who use body parts.”