It has been five weeks since Joshlin Smith was reported missing and the Western Cape police said that the search for the six-year-old is ongoing.
IT HAS been five weeks since Joshlin Smith was reported missing and the Western Cape police said on Friday that the search for the six-year-old was ongoing.
Provincial police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie said in that addition to the search for Smith, the police investigation was also ongoing.
“We appeal to community members and ‘influencers’ to refrain from posting unfounded and malicious intended messages with regards to the investigation on social media platforms,” Pojie said.
He said that while the search to find Joshlin was ongoing, the number of those actively involved in the search had dropped significantly. Pojie said the search was being led by the investigating team, based on information gathered and clues being followed up.
The Saldanha Bay Grade 1 pupil was last seen on February 19.
Her mother, who has now been arrested and charged in connection with her disappearance, said she had last seen her before leaving for work on the day.
She claimed to have left the child in the care of her boyfriend, who is a co-accused in the matter.
Since then the police have arrested four people.
They are Joshlin’s mother Racquel “Kelly” Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Lorentia Lombaard.
Police Minister Bheki Cele also visited the area earlier this month, to reassure residents that the police were doing everything in their power to find the girl.
