Search for Missing Saldanha Bay Child Joslin Smith Suspended, SA Citizens Anxious

Search for Missing Saldanha Bay Child Joslin Smith Suspended, SA Citizens Anxious

  • The search for Joslin Smith, who was last seen on 19 February 2024, has been suspended
  • Authorities vowed to continue to investigate every lead and urged people to stop spreading false rumours and accusations
  • Joslin's disappearance has left South Africans anxious and concerned, demanding answers

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Missing girl Joshlin Smith and a stock photo of a praying man
South Africans are praying for the safe return of the missing girl Joslin Smith. Image: Rosemarie Pluke/Facebook and stock photo/Getty
Source: UGC

Search efforts for missing child Joslin Smith have been suspended. The Saldanha Bay community is on edge, wondering what happened to the six-year-old.

Anxiety mounts in Saldanha Bay

It has been eight days since Joslin disappeared from a shack where she was under the care of her mother’s boyfriend. Community members voiced their anger when they learned the search had been paused.

Concerns escalated after false information about Joslin's disappearance started spreading on social media. According to EWN, Saldanha Bay Councilor Theresa Le Roux-Rossouw urged citizens to verify facts before spreading rumours.

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Authorities issue stern warning

Le Roux-Rossouw said authorities are investigating the girl's disappearance and issued a stern warning against making false accusations.

Despite the setback, South Africans are praying for Joslin's safe return. Read a few comments below:

Noeleen Bridle said:

"Awful to say but the boyfriends are usually the first port of call."

Carisma Harmzen wrote:

"Pray she gets found. Hopefully alive, but if not, just find her. Not knowing is the worst part of this."

Mhana Mesha posted:

"The boyfriend knows, the community should deal with him."

Madeneyah Andrews mentioned:

"Both the mother and her boyfriend should be locked away. They know what they did."

Charmaine Whyte asked:

"Why is the boyfriend not arrested and questioned? Mother must take responsibility for her actions."

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US psychic chimes in on missing Joslin Smith in viral TikTok video, Mzansi shares dreams

Janet Macgregor Naude added:

"It is heartbreaking that this beautiful little girl is still missing. Praying for her safe return."

Boyfriend blames himself for Smith's disappearance

Recently, Briefly News reported that the boyfriend of Josln Smith's mother, Jacquin Appolis, says he doesn't know what happened the day Joslin disappeared.

Despite this, he said he feels responsible for the little girl's disappearance. Appolis said Joslin told him she was going to play with her friends, which is when she disappeared.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Hilary Sekgota avatar

Hilary Sekgota (Deputy Human Interest HOD) Hilary Sekgota is the Head of Desk for Evening and Weekend content at Briefly News. She completed a BA in Communication Science from Unisa in 2018 and a Diploma in Journalism from Varsity College in 2010. She also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. Hilary joined the Briefly News team in 2022 and started her journalism career at Tshwane Sun. She has 12 years of experience covering current affairs and human interest topics. Email: hilary.sekgota@briefly.co.za