Joslin Smith Update: Everything we know thus far

It has been 20 days since six-year-old Joslin Smith was last seen. She is still missing, and the extensive search for her continues.

MISSING JOSLIN SMITH (6): HERE IS WHAT WE KNOW THUS FAR

This comes after her mother, Kelly, was amongst the four who had been charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.

The other three in the case are Kelly’s boyfriend, Jacquine [Boeta] Appolis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqo. They all appeared in the Vredenburg Magistrate Court last week.

All four suspects are to remain in custody until the bail information hearing.

HERE IS EVERYTHING WE KNOW ABOUT THE JOSLIN SMITH CASE SO FAR: 

Here are the latest developments in the search:

• Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton Mckenzie said the reward has been increased to R500 000 after people reported sightings of Joslin in Mosselbay.
• Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquine [Boeta] Appolis, Steveno van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqo are charged with human trafficking and kidnapping.
• Bloodied clothing was found and has been sent for forensic testing.
• Despite extensive daily searches, there’s still no sign of the missing little girl. 
• The City of Cape Town dispatched policing resources today. This includes 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 no trace could be found despite all avenues and resources being exhausted.
• Earlier this week the reward of R20 000 was increased to R250 000. It is now R500 000. This is offered for any information aiding the police in locating Joslin.
• 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 the disappearance of Joslin”.

HERE IS MORE INFORMATION ON THE REWARD OFFERED

“May I please ask if anyone next sees Joshlin, pls take out your phone and take a picture before you do anything else, after having taken a picture, scream, make a noise, just bring attention to the scene. We all carry phones nowadays.

“We are aware that they can’t keep Joshlin in one place for long hence they will be forced to move her.

“Lastly there is a 500 thousand for anyone, you don’t need to be scared of the sangoma, that nonsense doesn’t work, our steps are ordered by the Lord.”Gayton Mckenzie said

Police added that the investigation is gaining momentum, and arrests are on the cards.

‘INVESTIGATION IS GAINING MOMENTUM AND ARRESTS ARE ON THE CARDS’

“The investigation saw the team of detectives visiting several places within the West Coast town and interviewing several other persons.

“The search for Joslin brought individuals, NGOs, community activists, police officials, neighbourhood watches and representatives from different spheres of government together in the quest to find the missing girl. For days, they searched and identified vast areas in Saldanha Bay.

“It is envisaged that as the investigation unfolds, light will be shed as to her whereabouts or what happened to her,”Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said.