South Africans are comparing the actions of Jayden-Lee Meek’s mother, Tiffany, to those of Kelly Smith, the mother of missing Saldanha Bay girl, Joslin Smith.
This after the woman accused of murdering her 11-year-old son made similar comments that her child’s appearance had made them internet famous.
Like Kelly, Tiffany initially appeared as a concerned mother. However, both women were later accused of duping the public through soliciting sympathy.
Kelly is currently serving a life sentence for kidnapping and child trafficking, while Tiffany will make her second court appearance on charges of murder, defeating the ends of justice and crimen injuria.
JAYDEN-LEE MEEK’S MOM: ‘MY SON ALWAYS WANTED TO GO VIRAL’
In an interview with Newzroom Afrika just two days after Jayden-Lee Meek’s death, Tiffany raised “red flags” when she said: “My child wanted to go viral. Unfortunately, this is the way it had to happen”.
She added: “His biggest thing was he was going to be a star, and he will remain a star in my life”.
The clip recently resurfaced on social media, where many South Africans compared Tiffany’s comments to those made by Joslin Smith’s mother, Kelly.
@tezzbarry: “What did Kelly say? Joshlin made me famous. And now Tiffany says Jayden-Lee Meek always wanted to go viral 🙄biggest red flag”
@renepillay888: “She took everyone for a ride … Tiffany and Kelly, same WhatsApp group”.
@simba000: “She can now join Kelly Smith for life in prison. No mother in the right sense of mind will harm her own children”.
@roxy.bloem Replying to @Lisa_p 🌹 #justiceforjayden #jaydenleemeek #jaydenlee #sanews #newsupdate #news ♬ original sound – Roxanne Bloem
‘MY CHILD MADE ME FAMOUS’
Like Jayden-Lee Meek’s tragic case, Kelly Smith’s sentencing made headlines around the country.
During the kidnapping and trafficking trial, the court heard how the mother-of-three made shocking comments about her daughter before and after her disappearance.
According to the testimony of Saldanha SAPS station commander, Lieutenant Colonel Lincoln Sebola, Kelly’s behaviour “concerned” him.
He said: “When she came into the charge office, she was communicating with a SAPS officer whom she knew. She was acting like it was normal that her child was not there. What concerned me was when she said in her own words: ‘My child Joslin made me famous’. That made me worry. Especially as a parent”.
Images via Facebook/ eNCA
Similar words were made by fellow witness, community activist, Shakeera Ganief, also known as “Shakes Warrior”.
Shakes said of her liaison with Kelly: “Something very disturbing took place that day.
“It was the moment the Temple Boys were performing a song for the kids [during a church service for Joslin Smith]. Kelly was busy dancing and having a good time, and she was just on top of the world that day, when she made reference again, Yoh, my kind [child] maak [making] my [me] famous.”
DO YOU THINK THERE IS ANY SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE MOTHERS OF JOSLIN SMITH AND JAYDEN-LEE MEEK?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
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