Joslin Smith: R100 000+ reward for information on missing six-year-old

In excess of R100 000 has been offered for information regarding missing six-year-old girl Joslin Smith.

Smith disappeared from outside her home in Saldanha Bay on Cape Town’s West Coast a fortnight ago.

She has been left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, in an informal settlement, at the time of her disappearance.

Appollis could not account for her whereabouts, but has denied any involvement in her disappearance, police said.

As reported by the SAPeople website, Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie announced a R100 000 reward to anyone with information regarding her whereabouts.

Saldanha Bay Mayor André Truter also announced a R20 000 reward for anyone with information.

An amount of R20 000 was paid to the Saldanha Bay Municipality by anonymous donors, for “finding or locating Joslin Smith of Diazville”.

Anyone with information on Joslin Smith’s whereabouts is urged to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Millstine, of Vredenburg FCS at 079 879 8588 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111, alternatively Missing Children SA at 072 647 7464.

Joslin Smith search has NOT been called off

As reported by The South African website, SA’s navy has joined the search for Joslin Smith.

According to the BBC website, 300 naval officers have joined rescuers from the City of Cape Town, a dog unit and drones in the desperate search.

Bloodied clothing, which was found in a nearby field last weekend, has been sent to a forensic laboratory for further analysis.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa told the BBC the naval officers were dispatched on Monday to help follow any leads.

It is not common for the navy to assist with civilian searches, but they can do so if asked by police.

Saldanha Bay mayor André Truter predicted it would be a “big day” for search operations.

“I stood in amazement when I saw how many people from so many different organisations, led by SAPS (South African Police Service), focused on getting the job done! It gave me new hope for finding little Joslin,” Truter said.

“Frantic community members searched sewers and pits across the area in the days following the girl’s disappearance, with an angry mob also taking to searching homes and accosting neighbours, added Truter.

Meanwhile, as reported by The South African website, Police Minister Bheki Cele visited Saldanha Bay on Saturday to make it clear that the search for missing Joslin Smith had NOT been called off.

During the community meeting, Cele called for cool heads to prevail amid the finger-pointing and peddling of false information about the South African Police Service (SAPS) investigation into her disappearance.

In addition, Police Ministry spokesperson Lirandzu Themba said police remain committed to finding the six-year-old and reuniting her with her family.

Recent crime stats show that a child goes missing every five hours in South Africa, but most are found, begging questions as to Smith’s whereabouts and why she hasn’t yet been located.