Gayton McKenzie sparks concern with “Joslin Smith’s death” blunder
Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie has sparked concern online after he supposedly slipped up and said Joslin Smith is dead.
A video of Gayton McKenzie claiming that Joslin Smith is dead and that authorities had closed the investigation on her disappearance has gone viral.
The comments were made during a prayer service led by the Patriotic Alliance leader in Gqeberha over the weekend.
On 19 February – more than a month ago – the six-year-old – went missing from her home in the Middelpos informal settlement in Diazville, Saldanha Bay.
Four suspects – including Joslin’s mother, Kelly, and her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, as well as friends Steveno Van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard, have been arrested for kidnapping and human trafficking.
They are currently in custody.
GAYTON MCKENZIE: ‘JOSLIN SMITH’S DEATH HAS OPENED OUR EYES’
Speaking to the community of Gqerberha, Gayton McKenzie discussed a number of cold cases concerning missing children in South Africa.
The Patriotic Alliance leader has been active on the ground in the search for Joslin Smith. He has been updating his Facebook followers daily with new information on the investigation.
In a clip that has gone viral on TikTok, the 50-year-old former convict said: “They want to close the case like they closed all the other cases before Joslin. But Joslin’s death has opened our eyes.
On TikTok, many users were confused by Gayton’s comments, given the transparency of his social media posts.
Here are a few comments…
“What does he know that he is not telling us?”
“Your Gayton is not as honest and noble as you think he is.”
“Is Joslin dead? I’ve lost my respect for this man”.
“He knows, but the cops won’t allow him to tell the public”
‘SLIP OF THE TONGUE’
Meanwhile, Patriotic Alliance member and former Beaufort West mayor Ashley Sauls – fondly known as “Oom Biza” – has set the record straight on the comments about Joslin Smith.
Speaking on Facebook Live, he said: “Joslin is not dead. That is what we believe until the police show us something to the contrary.
“The president [Gayton McKenzie] is not saying Joslin is dead. It was a slip [of the tongue]. Pres believes she is still alive.
“He has offered a reward of R250 000 out of his own pocket [for information leading to her location]”.
On his own Facebook account, Gayton rectified his comments. The politician claimed he had mistakenly referred to Recolin Witbooi, another child who mysteriously disappeared in 2019
Like Joslin Smith, grade one learner Recolin went missing from his home. However, a few months later, his skeletal remains were found. A cause of death could not be established, and an inquest remains opened, claims Herald Live.
According to Algoa FM, Gayton is hoping to reopen the case and seek justice for the dead child.