An update on the Joslin Smith case

Six-year-old Joslin Smith from Saldanha Bay has been missing for two months now. And we all want answers.

JOSLIN HAVE BEEN MISSING FOR TWO MONTHS

Joslin went missing on 19 February while in the care of her mother, Kelly’s boyfriend.

Here is the latest in the missing child case: 

Police were seen digging at a particular drain in Diazville on Wednesday afternoon. 

POLICE HAVE BEEN SEEN DIGGING AT A PARTICULAR DRAIN THIS WEEK

According to Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton Mckenzie, information was received from someone out of town; he saw Boeta and Stephano at this particular drain. 

Mckenzie said the police and the municipality were both on site. He also shared a video of the police digging. 

Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie confirmed on Thursday that police were following up on every lead. 

He said they were digging at the drain, but nothing positive has been found yet. 

POLICE SAID THEY ARE FOLLOWING UP EVERY LEAD

Earlier this month, Police Minister Bheki Cele stated that authorities searched a ship in London a week ago based on information suggesting Joslin could have been aboard.

“It’s an awkward and painful case, especially after visiting the family and community. I found a very united community even when there were politics, but everybody agreed that the biggest (matter) was to find Joslin … the South African police, working with their sister organisation, have expanded the net.

“A week ago, a (ship) was searched in London because information indicated she could have been in that one. It took about two and a half days for the ship to be searched. She could not be found there,”- Cele said in an interview with the SABC.

Interpol assisted with the search on the ship. 

HERE IS EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE CASE SO FAR: 

Here are the latest developments in the search:

• Six-year-old Joslin was last seen on Monday, 19 February. She was officially reported missing on 20 February.
• Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton Mckenzie said the reward have been increased to R1 million. 
• Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquine (Boeta) Appolis, Steveno van Rhyn, Phumza Sigaqo, and a 32-year-old woman face charges of human trafficking and kidnapping.an trafficking and kidnapping.
• The four are expected back in court on 13 May. 
• No sign of any alleged assault was evident on Kelly when she appeared in court.
• The state has withdrawn charges against the accused number four, Phumza Sigaqa. 
• Investigators discovered bloodied clothing and have sent it for forensic testing. Police said the forensic lab results are not in yet. 
• The City of Cape Town dispatched policing resources in the past month. These include investigators, K9 unit search dogs, Marine Unit members and watercraft, and experienced search and rescue volunteers. Drones will support these teams’ search efforts.
• The Western Cape’s social development department in Saldanha Bay has intervened to keep Joslin’s siblings safe. 
• Police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the search for the six-year-old Joslin had been scaled down as the focus is now on following up on leads. 
• Joslin’s mother, Kelly, was asked about allegations of drug abuse inside the family home. Kelly admitted that she and her boyfriend smoked tik but said she had been “clean for a week since Joslin went missing.”

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