Four people have been taken in for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Joshlin Smith as the search for the missing six-year-old continues, the police confirmed on Wednesday.
FOUR people have been taken in for questioning in connection with the disappearance of Joshlin Smith as the search for the missing six-year-old continues, the police confirmed on Wednesday.
“The four persons being interviewed by the team of investigators are two men and two women, aged between 26 and 34,” Western Cape police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa said.
“With the investigation gaining momentum, arrests are on the cards.”
Potelwa said that as part of the extensive investigation currently under way, the detectives have been visiting several places and interviewing several people in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance.
“It is envisaged that as the investigation unfolds, light will be shed as to her whereabouts or what happened to her,” Potelwa said.
Joshlin, a Grade 1 learner at Diazville Primary School in Saldanha Bay, was last seen on Monday, February 19, at around 5pm.
The case has been handed over to the Western Cape detectives division to investigate as it has become high-profile and has even reached international attention.
On Tuesday it was reported that a source revealed that a suspect had been arrested after making a confession.
The suspect stated that Joshlin was sold to a woman for around R20,000.
The suspect reportedly taken into police custody is believed to be close to Joshlin.
The police did not respond to media enquiries regarding this information and did not confirm or deny the R20,000 allegedly paid by the woman for Joshlin.
At the time of Joshlin’s disappearance, her mother, Kelly Smith, told the police that when she had returned home after being out for the day, she had looked for Joshlin but could not find her.
She later got hold of her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, who was supposed to look after Joshlin, but he could not account for her whereabouts.
On Saturday, Police Minister Bheki Cele, together with SAPS management led by provincial commissioner Lieutenant-General Thembisile Patekile, visited the community of Saldanha Bay and engaged with members of the community who have been searching day and night for the missing girl.
The City of Cape Town also deployed resources including its marine unit services and K9 unit after the police announced they would be scaling back their searches.
On Sunday, the police confirmed that the search for Joshlin had been expanded, with drones and rescue dogs being deployed in the area.
The police said pieces of clothing allegedly stained with blood were discovered in an open field on Saturday evening during random searches.
The clothing has been sent to a forensic laboratory for analysis.
Scores of neighbourhood watch members, community-based organisations and local residents have continued to work around the clock in search of Joshlin.
Anyone with information, regarding the whereabouts of Joshlin is requested to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Millstine of Vredenburg FCS, at 079 879 8588 or Crime Stop at 086 001 0111.
