Joslin Smith: South African police grill 4 ‘people of interest’ over missing girl

Date:

Police in South Africa have taken in four people for questioning over the disappearance of a six-year-old girl two weeks ago.

The search for Joslin Smith has transfixed the country since she disappeared outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town.

On Monday, 300 naval officers joined rescuers from Cape Town, a dog unit and drones in the desperate search.

Two men and two women have been questioned over the disappearance.

“It is envisaged that as the investigation unfolds, light will be shed as to her whereabouts or what happened to her,” said Brig Novela Potelwa, the police spokesperson in South Africa’s Western Cape province.

A child goes missing every five hours in South Africa, but most are found.

On Saturday, investigators found bloodied clothing in an open field in the area where Joslin disappeared on 19 February.

Frantic community members searched sewers and pits in the days following the girl’s disappearance. Saldanha Bay Mayor André Truter said an angry mob had been raiding homes and accosting neighbours in search of the child.

A 100,000 rand ($5,200; £4,100) reward has been offered to anyone with information on her whereabouts.

She was left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, when she went missing.

He could not account for her whereabouts, police said. He has denied involvement in her disappearance.

Joslin’s mother had previously told local publication The Daily Voice she was not giving up hope.

“My motherly instincts are telling me my daughter is still alive and in this area. We will find her, I will walk on foot to find her. I will look in every little shack, I’m going to do it by myself if I have to.” BBC News

Subscribe

Popular

More like this
Related

SA boxer Dingaan Thobela, ‘The Rose of Soweto,’ found dead at his house

Former South African world boxing champion Dingaan Thobela, nicknamed 'The Rose of Soweto', was on Monday found dead at his home in Johannesburg after suffering ill health.

South African DJ Euphonik impregnates mistress, awaits baby number 8

South African DJ and music producer Euphonik’s battle for custody with his ex-wife has opened a can of worms, after she recently revealed in court that the house music maestro is expecting his eighth child after impregnating one of his mistresses.

Senzo Meyiwa trial lawyer fears for his life as judge orders police protection

One of the three defence attorneys in the ongoing inquest into the murder of South African footballer, Senzo Meyiwa, has revealed that he fears of life after his home was on Wednesday “visited” by two men he feared wanted to kill him.

Veteran South African actor Sello Maake kaNcube defends ‘bogus’ doctorate

Veteran actor Sello Maake KaNcube has come out in defense of a honorary doctorate that was bestowed on him by Trinity International Bible University, an institution that South Africa's Minister of Higher Education Blade Nzimande has said is not registered and is thus not fit to give out such recognition.