Wedaeli Chibelushi: The Mysterious Disappearance of Joshlin Smith

The Shocking Case

Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old girl from South Africa, went missing over a year ago, sparking a nationwide search and a wave of speculation. Her mother, Kelly Smith, along with her boyfriend and a friend, were recently convicted of kidnapping and trafficking the young girl.

The Trial

• Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn were arrested after Joshlin disappeared from her home in Saldanha Bay.
• All three were found guilty of the charges, despite pleading not guilty.
• Joshlin’s whereabouts remain unknown, adding to the mystery surrounding her case.

Explosive Allegations

During the trial, shocking allegations emerged, painting a disturbing picture of the events leading up to Joshlin’s disappearance. Witnesses and prosecutors revealed details that left the nation in disbelief.

• A friend of Kelly Smith claimed she had sold Joshlin to a traditional healer for her eyes and skin.
• A local pastor testified that Smith had discussed selling her children for a sum of money.

The Verdict

As the trial came to a close, South Africans awaited the judge’s verdict with bated breath. The case had captured the nation’s attention, shedding light on the dark underbelly of human trafficking and kidnapping.

The Aftermath

With the verdict delivered, the search for Joshlin continues, with hopes of finding her alive and bringing those responsible to justice. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by vulnerable children and the importance of safeguarding their well-being.

The case of Joshlin Smith is a tragic reminder of the harsh realities faced by many children around the world. As the search for her continues, the nation remains hopeful for her safe return and closure for her loved ones.

Former DRC President Joseph Kabila Faces Bid to Strip Immunity

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched a bid to strip former president Joseph Kabila of immunity so he can face trial on charges of supporting the M23 insurgency in the country’s east, where the government is seeking to draft a peace deal this week.

Kabila’s Background

Kabila, who agreed to step down in 2018 after almost two decades in power, has been out of the country since late 2023, mostly in SA. He said last month he would return to help find a solution to the crisis in the east, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have seized large areas this year.

Allegations Against Kabila

A return to DRC by Kabila, who has denied supporting the rebels, could complicate a US-backed bid to end the rebellion in eastern DRC, which contains valuable minerals that US President Donald Trump’s administration is keen to help mine.

Stripping of Immunity

Justice minister Constant Mutamba told reporters in Kinshasa on Wednesday evening that the DRC army’s attorney-general has asked the DRC’s senate to revoke the immunity from prosecution Kabila enjoys as a senator for life.

Peace Deal Efforts

The DRC and Rwanda have pledged to come up with a draft peace deal by May 2 and refrain from providing military support to armed groups, according to an agreement signed in Washington on April 25.

US Involvement

US President Donald Trump’s senior Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, told Reuters on Thursday the US is pushing the DRC and Rwanda to sign a peace accord at the White House in about two months.

Political Fallout

Kabila came to power in 2001 after his father’s assassination. He refused to stand down when his final term officially ended in 2016, leading to deadly protests, before agreeing to leave office after an election in 2018.

Last month, the interior ministry suspended his political party, while the justice ministry said it would seize Kabila’s assets and the assets of party leaders.

Reactions

Ferdinand Kambere, permanent secretary of Kabila’s Party for Reconstruction and Democracy, said the attempt to lift Kabila’s immunity showed the government feared Kabila’s return. He blamed President Felix Tshisekedi, a Kabila rival, for causing the crisis in the east.

Source: Reuters

Pope Francis’ Commitment to Africa

When Pope Francis presided over a Mass that incorporated elements of Congolese tradition in St. Peter’s Basilica in 2019, it was seen as a sign of his enduring commitment to Roman Catholics across Africa.

A Growing Catholic Population in Africa

About a fifth of Africa’s population, roughly 280 million people, are Catholic. Nearly a fifth of all Catholics are Africans, and that balance is changing: According to the Vatican, more than half of the 13 million people who joined the church in 2022 were in Africa.

Potential African Successors

Among Francis’ potential successors from Africa is Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, the 65-year-old archbishop of Kinshasa, whom Francis made a cardinal in 2019, who was a member of his Council of Cardinals and who led the opposition to the Vatican’s declaration allowing the church to bless homosexual couples.

Impact of Francis’ Legacy in Africa

Francis’ legacy in Africa is mixed, with some crediting him for adapting church teachings to African customs and others saying his messages at times felt out of touch with the diverse and strongly held beliefs that animate many African societies.

African Catholics’ Perspective on Francis

On many topics, African Catholics said Francis had preached values close to their hearts, including a more respectful relationship to nature, interreligious dialogue with Islam, and the importance of incorporating local traditions into one’s faith.

Challenges in Africa

For all of Francis’ attention to Africa, Catholics there noted that his influence and calls for peace yielded few results. The war in the Democratic Republic of Congo entered a new deadly phase this year, African migrants face deadly obstacles in the perilous journey to Europe, and the two competing leaders of South Sudan are threatening a new war.

Conclusion

Others said the care and attention Francis gave to Africa would be what they remembered about him most. “Our country was at war but he still came here to share our suffering,” said Eugenie Ndumba, a parish lecturer in Congo, which Francis visited in 2023. “He knew where his children were, and he made sure he went toward them.”