The South African Police Service (SAPS) has addressed the circulating rumours about the search for Joshlin Smith, the missing six-year-old from Saldanha Bay.
SAPS shoots down claims of reduced resources in Joshlin Smith search
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie confirmed in a statement that SAPS has diversified its search tactics over time, incorporating specialised capabilities based on available information, contrary to claims of reduced resources.
“Due to the time that has passed since she was reported missing, our search and investigations have taken and assumed different approaches,” the statement read.
The efforts, Lt-Col Pojie explained, have been bolstered by contributions from members of visible policing, specialised units, and support from other law enforcement agencies.
“We welcome support form civilians with regard to the search, but it must be properly coordinated and within the perimeters of the law. As the lead agency in investigations, mandated by law our dedicated investigators to the case are applying the required principles of investigations as their work unfolds with a view to taking the matter to court when required,” Pojie added.
City of Cape Town joins search efforts
The City of Cape Town, under the direction of MEC for Public Safety JP Smith, has significantly ramped up efforts to locate Joshlin.
Following a request from the Executive Mayor of Saldanha Bay, Andre Truter, the municipality deployed multiple teams to assist in the search.
These teams, consisting of divers, skippers, K9 units, investigators, and drone operators, have commenced a comprehensive search operation on land, sea, and air.
A joint command centre has been established to synchronise efforts with SAPS, aiming to overcome obstacles created by misinformation and social media disruptions that have previously hampered progress, the MEC explained in a statement.
“This has already caused much tension in the community, already leading to public violence and incidents of vigilantism,” Smith added.
The last update from the Joshlin Smith search came at approximately 16:30 on Thursday, 29 February 2024, where tip-offs led K9 members to an unspecified location, “but once identified and a sample item scent provided, the tracking dogs were unable to pick up a scent anywhere around the area of interest.”
“The Marine Unit scoured an area along the coast where a low depth, rocky water area had been identified, but this did not yield any worthwhile results,” Smith shared.
Joshlin Smith’s dad wants the mother arrested
Joshlin’s father, Jose Emke, has publicly called for the police to re-question the mother of his child, Kelly Smith and her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis, citing suspicions of their involvement in Joshlin’s disappearance.
Despite these allegations, the SAPS has clarified that at this stage of the investigation, the mother and her boyfriend are not considered central to the inquiry, with no individuals formally identified as suspects or persons of interest.
The investigation continues with the aim of uncovering the truth behind Joshlin’s disappearance, maintaining a focus on gathering evidence and following leads with diligence.
Joshlin was last seen alive on Monday, 19 February 2024, in the care of Appollis. Conflicting accounts from Joshlin’s mother and her boyfriend have heightened suspicion of their culpability in the six-year-old’s disappearance.
However, when this article was published, neither Kelly nor Jacquin was regarded as a person of interest in Joshlin’s disappearance.