Police Minister General Bheki Cele has promised the community of Diazville in Saldanha Bay, the tireless efforts of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the search for six-year-old Joslin Smith, who disappeared nearly two weeks ago.
On the afternoon of Saturday, March 2, 2024, Minister Cele sat down with Joslin’s distraught family and spoke to residents about the intense search effort to locate the young girl, affirming his commitment to reuniting her with her loved ones.
In an appeal to the community grappling with the unsettling disappearance of Joslin since February 19, Minister Cele implored for calm and unity. “You are a community that has united through this trying time,” he said. “Don’t allow those who are trying to get political mileage out of the disappearance of a little girl to divide you. Unite and work with the police to bring her back home.”
Amidst concerns of the investigation’s progress, and whispers of discontent, the police chief reassured. “From the police side, I want to assure you that no resource will be spared to find her, the police have not withdrawn from this search and they are under a directive to work closer with anyone who comes up with any valuable information that can assist,” added Cele.
Kelly Smith, Joslin’s mother, recounted the last moments she saw her daughter, entrusting her care to her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, before leaving for work on the morning of her disappearance. Hours later upon arrival at her Diazville home, the bewildering reality set in; her daughter vanished.
Western Cape police spokesperson Malcolm Pojie provided insight into the initial investigation, stating, “Preliminary information revealed that Joslin was left at home on Monday, 19 February, with the mother’s boyfriend to look after her, as [Joslin] was not feeling well. Later in the afternoon [when] the mother returned from work, her daughter was not at home.”
The relentless search involving an integrated police task force, local volunteers, concerned organisations, and even aerial assistance via police helicopter has thus far been unsuccessful in locating Joslin.
Highlighting a grim backdrop to Joslin’s disappearance, the Western Cape Missing Persons Unit – a private group working fervently to reunite separated families – has revealed the heartrending statistic that four minors are presently missing in the province alone, among whom are 12-year-old Lunamandla Sithonga, nine-year-old Linathi Titshala, six-month-old Ivakele Yeko, and two-month-old Kai-isha Meniers.
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