The search for six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who went missing from Diazville in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape, remains ongoing as efforts to locate her enter their 76th day.
Joshlin disappeared without a trace on February 19, shortly after 5 p.m., leaving her family and community deeply concerned about her whereabouts.
Western Cape police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, confirmed that the investigation into Joshlin’s disappearance is still active. “Kindly be advised that the matter you are referring to is still under investigation. There are no developments to report to the media at this stage. The search/investigation into the matter is still ongoing,” stated van Wyk.
Recent reports from the Cape Argus suggest that a private investigator, retired police officer Danie Krugel, has joined the search effort. Krugel claimed to have located Joshlin’s static DNA in the Saldanha Bay area, specifically identifying her hair.
“We found Joshlin’s hair and we have our findings but we can only share it with the police. We didn’t charge anything for Joshlin because this case touched us, and also we wanted to help the police and trust that the police will do the best they can to help Joshlin,” Krugel told Cape Argus.
Krugel gained prominence for his work in tracing missing persons, including the well-known case of Madeleine McCann. He utilizes the Matter Orientation System, also known as the Krugel Theory Tester, to track individuals using their DNA.
A reward of R1 million for information leading to Joshlin’s safe return remains in place, posted by Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton Mckenzie.
Meanwhile, Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appolis, Stevano van Rhyn, and Lourentia Lombaard are facing charges of trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping. All accused have abandoned their bail and are currently remanded in custody until their next court appearance scheduled for Monday, May 13.