Joslin Smith, a 6-year-old girl from Saldanha Bay in South Africa, has been missing for nearly three weeks. On February 19th, Joslin was last seen outside her home in an informal settlement near Cape Town.
One of the men is her boyfriend.
On Saturday investigators found bloodied clothing in an open field near where Joslin disappeared over two weeks ago. The mother of Joslin, Kelly Smith (Racquel Chantel Smith), was arrested and charged with kidnapping and selling or trafficking her daughter along with three others: two men and a woman.
Joslin Smith, a 6-year-old girl from Saldanha Bay in South Africa, has been missing for nearly three weeks. On February 19th, Joslin was last seen outside her home in an informal settlement near Cape Town. Despite a massive search operation involving the navy, drones and sniffer dogs, Joslin has not yet been found.
On Saturday investigators found bloodied clothing in an open field near where Joslin disappeared over two weeks ago. The mother of Joslin, Kelly Smith (Racquel Chantel Smith), was arrested and charged with kidnapping and selling or trafficking her daughter along with three others: two men and a woman. One of the men is her boyfriend.
Ms Smith had previously told local publication The Daily Voice that she had not given up hope of finding her daughter following her disappearance outside their home in an informal settlement. Frantic community members searched sewers and pits in the days following Joslin's disappearance, but have yet to find any leads.
A 100,000 rand reward has been offered to anyone with information on Joslin's whereabouts.
Kelly Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; ⰺ835).
Joslin has not yet been located despite a massive search operation involving the navy, drones and sniffer dogs.
On Saturday investigators found bloodied clothing in an open field near where Joslin disappeared over two weeks ago.
Ms Smith had previously told local publication The Daily Voice that she had not given up hope of finding her daughter following her disappearance outside their home in an informal settlement.
Accuracy
The mother of a 6-year-old girl who has been missing in South Africa for nearly three weeks was arrested and charged with kidnapping and selling or trafficking her daughter.
Kelly Smith (Racquel Chantel Smith), the mother of Joslin has now been charged with kidnapping and human trafficking offenses along with three others: two men and a woman. One of the men is her boyfriend.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the national minister of police visited the area and met with Kelly Smith without providing any context or evidence for this claim. Additionally, the author quotes a community member who is also involved in the search saying that a child's clothing was spattered with blood and a knife was found, but does not provide any further details on what was discovered. This creates an inflammatory atmosphere by suggesting that Joslin may have been harmed or killed. The article also contains several instances of dichotomous depiction, such as the contrast between the small, poor coastal community where Joslin lives and the major search operation involving police, firefighters, city authorities and specialized sniffer dog units around her home. This creates a false sense of hope for finding Joslin alive while also highlighting her vulnerability in this situation.
The national minister of police visited the area and met with Kelly Smith
A child's clothing was spattered with blood and a knife was found
Bias
(85%)
The article contains multiple examples of bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the mother by referring to her as a 'kidnapper' and a 'seller'. This is an example of disproportionate number of quotations reflecting one position. Additionally, the use of words like 'shocking', 'deep anger', and phrases such as '
Kelly Smith has now been charged with kidnapping and human trafficking offenses along with three others.
The discovery of a child’s discarded clothing near Joslin’s home last weekend heightened emotions.
Kelly Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; ⚣835).
Joslin has not yet been located despite a massive search operation involving the navy, drones and sniffer dogs.
On Saturday investigators found bloodied clothing in an open field near where Joslin disappeared over two weeks ago.
Ms Smith had previously told local publication The Daily Voice that she had not given up hope of finding her daughter following her disappearance outside their home in an informal settlement.
Frantic community members searched sewers and pits in the days following Joslin's disappearance.
Accuracy
Kelly Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; ➣835).
Some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, claiming they can cure people of illnesses or improve their fortunes.
Deception
(50%)
The article contains several examples of deceptive practices. Firstly, the author states that Kelly Smith instructed Stefano van Rhyn to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £835), but this is not supported by any evidence presented in court or disclosed by the prosecution. This statement is likely intended to sensationalize the case and create an emotional response from readers. Secondly, the article mentions that some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, which implies that Kelly Smith may have been involved in such practices herself. However, this information is not presented as factual or supported by any evidence. This statement is likely intended to manipulate the reader's emotions and create a negative perception of Kelly Smith without providing any concrete evidence against her. Thirdly, the article mentions that some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, which implies that Kelly Smith may have been involved in such practices herself. However, this information is not presented as factual or supported by any evidence.
The article mentions that some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, which implies that Kelly Smith may have been involved in such practices herself. However, this information is not presented as factual or supported by any evidence.
The author states that Kelly Smith instructed Stefano van Rhyn to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £835), but this is not supported by any evidence presented in court or disclosed by the prosecution. This statement is likely intended to sensationalize the case and create an emotional response from readers.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains several logical fallacies. Firstly, the author uses an appeal to authority by stating that some traditional healers use body parts to make potions without providing any evidence or citation for this claim. Secondly, the author commits a false dilemma by presenting only two options: either Joslin is alive and will be found or she has been killed and her body parts are being used in potions. This oversimplifies the situation and ignores other possibilities such as abduction or trafficking without consent. Thirdly, the author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating that some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, which could be seen as sensationalizing the issue and inciting fear in readers.
The author's statement 'some traditional healers use body parts to make potions' is an appeal to authority fallacy. There is no evidence or citation provided for this claim.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses the phrase 'traditional healer' to describe one of the accused which implies that they are involved in a practice that is not widely accepted or legal. This could be seen as an attempt to demonize traditional healers, implying that their practices are inherently evil or harmful.
In a widely condemned practice, some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, claiming they can cure people of illnesses or improve their fortunes.
The prosecution alleges that Ms Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused, Stefano van Rhyn, to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; ➣835), the privately owned Citizen newspaper reports.
The mother of a 6-year-old girl who has been missing in South Africa for nearly three weeks was arrested and charged with kidnapping and selling or trafficking her daughter.
Kelly Smith (Racquel Chantel Smith), the mother of Joslin has now been charged with kidnapping and human trafficking offenses along with three others: two men and a woman. One of the men is her boyfriend.
Accuracy
,
Joslin Smith has not yet been found despite a massive search operation involving the navy, drones and sniffer dogs.
Kelly Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; ➣835).
On Saturday investigators found bloodied clothing in an open field near where Joslin disappeared over two weeks ago.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that Joshlin Smith went missing on 19 February and was last seen by her mother at around 8am when she left for work. However, the article does not mention anything about any investigation into where Joshlin might have been during those hours or if there were any leads in the case. Secondly, it states that police continued their search for Joslin on Tuesday, 5 March and moved to the Saldanha Bay refuse dump where officers sifted through more than 100,000 tonnes of rubbish. However, this information is not relevant to the charges brought against Racquel Chantel Smith (also known as Kelly), her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and co-accused Steveno van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa in trafficking in persons for exploitation, kidnapping or any other crime. Thirdly, it states that Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile warned that anyone trying to interfere with the investigation will face the might of the law. However, this statement is not relevant to the charges brought against Racquel Chantel Smith (also known as Kelly), her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and co-accused Steveno van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa in trafficking in persons for exploitation, kidnapping or any other crime. Lastly, it states that Western Cape MEC for social development Nomafrench Mbombo told the media there were two other siblings (Joshlin's mother's children) with the families who are being cared for by the Department of Social Development. However, this information is not relevant to the charges brought against Racquel Chantel Smith (also known as Kelly), her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and co-accused Steveno van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa in trafficking in persons for exploitation, kidnapping or any other crime.
The article states that Joshlin went missing on 19 February but does not mention anything about any investigation into where she might have been during those hours or if there were any leads in the case. This is a lie by omission.
Fallacies
(85%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(85%)
The article contains examples of both religious and monetary bias. The author uses language that dehumanizes the accused by referring to them as 'traffickers' and 'kidnappers', implying a moral judgment without providing evidence or context. Additionally, the use of phrases such as 'the last time she saw her daughter was when she left for work on 19 February at about 8am' implies that Joshlin's mother is responsible for her disappearance, which may not be accurate. The article also mentions a large crowd gathered outside court and police searching the Saldanha Bay refuse dump, suggesting a focus on sensationalism rather than factual reporting.
The author uses language that dehumanizes the accused by referring to them as 'traffickers' and 'kidnappers', implying a moral judgment without providing evidence or context. For example:
Kelly Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; ⰺ835).
Joslin has not yet been located despite a massive search operation involving the navy, drones and sniffer dogs.
On Saturday investigators found bloodied clothing in an open field near where Joslin disappeared over two weeks ago.
Kelly Smith had previously told local publication The Daily Voice that she had not given up hope of finding her daughter following her disappearance outside their home in an informal settlement.
Frantic community members searched sewers and pits in the days following Joslin's disappearance.
A 100,000 rand reward has been offered to anyone with information on Joslin's whereabouts.
Joslin was left in the care of Mr Appollis when she went missing.
Accuracy
Kelly Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; ➣835).
Some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, claiming they can cure people of illnesses or improve their fortunes.
Deception
(50%)
The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author does not disclose their sources and quotes from them without crediting them. Secondly, the author uses sensationalist language such as 'missing' and 'charged with trafficking', which creates a false sense of urgency and danger for Joslin Smith's case. Thirdly, the article implies that Kelly Smith sold her daughter to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £835), but it does not provide any evidence or quotes from witnesses to support this claim. Fourthly, the author uses anecdotal evidence such as 'a huge crowd gathered outside court' and 'community members searched sewers and pits in the days following her disappearance', which creates a false sense of community involvement and concern for Joslin Smith's case.
The article does not disclose its sources, making it difficult to verify the accuracy of the information presented. For example, when reporting that Kelly Smith sold her daughter to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £835), the author does not provide any evidence or quotes from witnesses to support this claim.
The article uses sensationalist language such as 'missing' and 'charged with trafficking', which creates a false sense of urgency and danger for Joslin Smith's case. For example, when reporting that Kelly Smith was charged with human trafficking and kidnapping, the author does not provide any evidence or quotes from witnesses to support these claims.
The article implies that Kelly Smith sold her daughter to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £835), but it does not provide any evidence or quotes from witnesses to support this claim. For example, when reporting that the prosecution alleges that Ms Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £835), there is no mention of any evidence or quotes from witnesses to support this claim.
Fallacies
(70%)
The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by stating that the mother and boyfriend were charged with trafficking. The author does not provide any evidence or context for this claim. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of traditional healers as either good or bad based on their use of body parts in potions.
The prosecution alleges that Ms Smith instructed Mr Appollis and another of the accused, Stefano van Rhyn, to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; ➣835), the privately owned Citizen newspaper reports.
In a widely condemned practice, some traditional healers use body parts to make potions, claiming they can cure people of illnesses or improve their fortunes.
Bias
(85%)
The article contains a statement that Kelly Smith instructed Jacquen Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £794.36). This is an example of monetary bias as it implies that money has more value than human life.
Kelly Smith instructed Jacquen Appollis and another of the accused to sell Joslin to a traditional healer for 20,000 rand ($1,000; £794.36).
