New leads on missing Joshlin
In a startling new statement by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), new leads have surfaced as to the whereabouts of the sixyear-old Joshlin Smith who has been missing for over three weeks.
The words were spoken against the chaotic backdrop of a violent clash between police and Saldanha residents outside the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court as the four accused in Joshlin’s disappearance appeared for their bail hearing on Wednesday.
The case was postponed until 13 May for further investigation.
“Concerning the ongoing investigation, the NPA informed the court that we have received additional information, particularly regarding the child’s whereabouts. Investigators should follow up on that,” Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said.
Meanwhile, it is claimed that two more suspects are in police custody for questioning.
Saldanha Bay ward councillor Vernon Vraagom, who has been tirelessly searching for the missing girl alongside scores of other residents, told IOL that the community feels the police aren’t “keeping them updated”.
There are two [suspects] in protective custody and the community feels that they should be questioned.
The police, however, remained tight-lipped about whether they are questioning more suspects.
On Monday, Western Cape police spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie only confirmed that the search for Joshlin continues “indefinitely”.
Wednesday marked 23 days since the green-eyed girl’s disappearance which gripped the nation and made international headlines, while frantic searches continue from the early hours to late at night.
Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, close friend Steveno van Rhyn and alleged sangoma Phumza Sigaqa made their second court appearance after they were charged with human trafficking and kidnapping last Thursday.
The Grade 1 Diazville Primary School pupil mysteriously vanished from the Middelpos informal settlement on 19 February.
Kelly, who confessed to being a tik, or crystal meth, user, left her daughter in the care of Appollis when she went to work on that fateful Monday morning.
On her return to the couple’s tin and wooden shack at around 5pm, Joshlin was missing. Appollis denies any involvement in her disappearance, claiming that the last time he saw her was when she went to play outside.
During court proceedings, charges were withdrawn against Sigaqa, the alleged Middelpos sangoma who appeared last week in the dock in a scarlet red gown and pyjamas.