Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Vincent Cruywagen
Published on 2024-04-08 23:14:03
Mark and Anouschika Hageman got involved in the search for Joshlin Smith after receiving information from Rev June Dolley-Major about the Panamanian ship Frontier Asuka leaving the Port of Saldanha on 23 February. This incident spurred the Gauteng couple to take action in locating Joshlin.
The Hagemans reported this information to the international Human Trafficking Hotline Web Chat, leading to a police search of the ship in Port Talbot, Wales, on 16 and 17 March. Despite a thorough examination, no evidence of Joshlin was found on the vessel.
Mark Hageman used a boat tracker app to follow the route of the Frontier Asuka from Saldanha Bay to Port Talbot. After contacting various authorities, including the Royal Navy command office and the Coast Guard, he reached out to the Human Trafficking Hotline Web Chat for assistance. The ship was eventually searched by authorities in the UK.
While Joshlin was not found on the ship, the Hagemans expressed relief at the search efforts. Authorities informed the public that the search for Joshlin had extended internationally, with Interpol collaborating on the case. Despite efforts to locate Joshlin, DNA testing did not link samples collected from clothing to her.
Joshlin went missing on 19 February near Tsitsiratsitsi in Saldanha, with her mother, Racquel Chantel Smith, recounting the events leading to her disappearance. The individuals arrested in connection with the case, including Smith, Appollis, Van Rhyn, and Lombaard, faced charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. The accused individuals chose to abandon their bail applications during court appearances in March.
The search for Joshlin continues, with updates expected in the coming months as the accused individuals are scheduled to appear in court again on 13 May. The community remains hopeful for a resolution in the case, trusting in the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies both locally and internationally.
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