Unabashedly unapologetic — that’s the disposition of arson-accused Monique Kekana, following her appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

The 27-year-old has admitted to setting Kelly Smith’s house alight, claiming she did it for all the mothers out there. The incident took place on 2 May 2025, mere hours after Smith and her two co-offenders were convicted of kidnapping and child trafficking Smith’s daughter, Joslin Smith. The little girl disappeared from her home in the Middelpos Informal Settlement, in Saldanha, in February 2024. The green-eyed girl, who was aged seven at the time of her disappearance, remains to be found.

“I did it for all the mothers out there, because there is a cousin of mine who is still missing for over 16 years, and as a family, we don’t know where she is now. Why I did it, I wanted (Kelly Smith) to show myself and the community where the child (missing Joslin Smith) is,” Kekana explained.

Monique Kekana the woman accused of setting Kelly Smith’s house on fire, says she did it for all the mothers. She says Kelly should open her heart and say where Joshlin is. Stay tuned to #eNCA channel #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/xU1fvBpeZN

— eNCA (@eNCA) May 12, 2025

During her second stint in the dock, Kekana was granted bail of R500, where the matter was subsequently postponed to 27 June 2025.

The investigation into the act of arson remains underway.