Case of missing SA girl extends abroad

CAPE TOWN – The search for missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith has entered its second month with Police Minister Bheki Cele revealing earlier this week that the South African Police Service (SAPS) were now working with Interpol to find her.

Joshlin – from the Middelpos informal settlement near Diazville, in Saldanha – went missing on February 19. This latest developments in her tragic disappearance case came to light on Wednesday, when the country’s top cop appeared on SABC 2’s Morning Live breakfast show.

Cele, who visited the poverty-stricken West Coast community on March 2, said police had expanded their search operation beyond South African borders, working closely with Interpol and other ‘sister organisations’.

According to him, an extensive search of a ship anchored in a London port unfortunately yielded no results.

“A week ago, a ship was searched in London because there was information indicating she could have been in that one. It took about two-and-a-half days for the ship to be searched. She could not be found there. The net has gone far beyond the borders of South Africa, working with sister organisations such as Interpol and other organisations. We hope to know one day where Joshlin is,” the police minister said in the interview.

“The case back home in Saldanha is continuing and those people (the accused) have not told us exactly where we would find Joshlin.”

Cele added that the latest items taken for DNA testing could not be positively linked to Joshlin. The discovery of a blue fleece shirt, Karrimor backpack, baby blanket and a piece of bone was made after residents complained to the Saldanha Municipality about a blocked drain at the back of Diazville High School in Noorddam Street.

Residents claim that the clothing – allegedly stained with blood – belonged to one of the accused who they say were spotted in their street, as well as at the drain. However, this cannot be verified by police as such sensitive information will only be revealed in court once the investigation has been completed.