A female suspect has been taken in for questioning after a fire burned down the Middelpos home of Kelly Smith.

Smith was yesterday convicted alongside her co-accused, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, for the kidnapping and trafficking of her six-year-old daughter, Joshlin Smith.

Police spokesperson Malcom Pojie says officers in Saldanha Bay have opened a case of arson for investigation.

Meanwhile, the Director of Public Prosecutions in the Western Cape, Advocate Nicolette Bell has attributed the successful conviction of Kelly Smith and her co-accused to the hard work of the prosecution team.

They are expected to appear in court again next Friday for pre-sentencing proceedings.

Judge Nathan Erasmus found them guilty on charges of kidnapping and human trafficking.

Bell says it’s a landmark verdict.

“Human trafficking is rife and the legislation is new and this is a landmark decision for us. From here on we can still build. But tragically the little girl, Joshlin is still out there. So, the search for her must continue.”