More than R100,000 in reward money for helping find missing Joslin Smith

A night vigil was held for the safe return of missing Joslin Smith in Elsies River at the weekend. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers

A night vigil was held for the safe return of missing Joslin Smith in Elsies River at the weekend. Picture: Ayanda Ndamane/Independent Newspapers

Published Feb 26, 2024

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Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie is offering a R100,000 reward, while War Against Parental Alienation group has put up a R10,000 reward for information that leads to Joslin Smith being found.

Seven-year-old Joslin went missing on February 19. Her mother Kelly last saw her when she returned to work at 12pm and left the little girl at home in the care of her boyfriend.

Joslin’s family received reports that she was allegedly seen by some residents walking with a boy or man whose identity is not yet known.

Since then, residents, organisations and some political parties have rallied behind her family and assisted in searching for the Grade 1 Diazville Primary School pupil.

A police helicopter hovering over areas around Saldanha Bay as well as drones were used in the search.

“The community shared with me their frustration in following up leads themselves and getting told that they were not allowed to enter certain places. The mother of the missing girl today joined a search party in searching the houses of other people, you don’t need me to tell you the many wrong things with such an action.

Joshlin Smith was last seen on February 19. Picture: Supplied

“This is not politics, let’s all work together and find this little girl before massive riots erupt. I am hereby offering R100,000 to anyone with information that can lead to the arrest and guilty finding of the culprit(s). We can all do so much more, time is of the essence, let’s act with urgency and speed,” said McKenzie.

War Against Parental Alienation’s Christo de Jager said while their reward was not seen as a lot he hoped it would assist.

“When a parent loses a child the pain is unbearable, imagine returning home from work and realising that your child is missing. You have no idea if she is warm or had anything to eat or whether she is safe. All you can think of is to have her back,” said De Jager.

A police helicopter hovering over areas around Saldanha Bay as well as drones were used in the search.

Anyone with information on Joslin’s whereabouts is requested to contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Meyer Millstine of Vredenburg FCS, at 079 879 8588 or Crime Stop at 08600 10111. Alternatively Missing Children SA at 072 6477464.

Cape Times