Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Vincent Cruywagen
Published on 2024-03-06 08:57:03
Police in the Western Cape have made progress in the investigation into the disappearance of six-year-old Joslin Smith. Two men and two women between the ages of 26 and 34 are currently being questioned by detectives in connection with the case. Despite the investigation gaining momentum, the individuals have not been charged and therefore their names cannot be released to the public.
Joslin went missing on 19 February in Diazville, Saldanha. Her mother, Kelly Smith, last saw her daughter before leaving for work that morning, leaving Joslin in the care of her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis. When Kelly returned home later that day, Joslin was nowhere to be found. The search for Joslin has been ongoing, with law enforcement officers and police combing through various areas in Saldanha Bay Municipality, including the landfill site in Vredenburg.
On the ground, police and officers wore protective gear as they sifted through refuse dumped over the past three weeks. The Vredenburg landfill received rubbish from several surrounding areas, creating a challenging task for the search team. The layers of debris had been compressed by machines, making it difficult to search by hand. Despite efforts from the K9 unit and a thorough search conducted by a police dog, no significant findings were made.
The search team had to navigate through a sea of rubbish that included nappies, plastic bottles, glass bottles, rotten vegetables, and other waste. With over 100,000 tonnes of waste dumped at the site since Joslin’s disappearance, the search proved to be a daunting task. Scavengers at the landfill, like Lorenzo Manuel, continue to sift through piles of trash in hopes of finding anything of value. However, no evidence related to Joslin has been uncovered thus far.
Joslin’s father, Josh Emke, expressed his anguish over his daughter’s disappearance and his belief that she is still alive. He shared his struggles with sleepless nights and dreams about her whereabouts. Emke dispelled rumors of his daughter being sold and clarified that he was unable to participate in search efforts due to health reasons.
Tensions remain high in the community as false information circulates regarding Joslin’s disappearance. Community members, NGOs, and police officials have joined efforts to search for Joslin in different areas of Saldanha Bay. The Human Rights Commission’s Chris Nissen urged the public to allow the police to conduct their investigation without interference.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Novela Potelwa expressed optimism that as the investigation progresses, more information about Joslin’s whereabouts will be revealed. With arrests potentially on the horizon, the case of the missing six-year-old continues to remain in the forefront of the community’s minds. As the search for Joslin Smith continues, the community remains hopeful for her safe return.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
