The community of Saldanha Bay and surrounding areas are under a cloud of concern following the disappearance of seven-year-old Joslin Smith on February 19. In a concerted effort to locate the missing child, notable figures and groups have stepped forward with significant reward offers for information leading to her safe return.
Reward Offers to Aid Search Efforts
Gayton McKenzie, the leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), has publicly announced a reward of R100,000. This gesture aims to incentivize the public to come forward with any information that might help in finding Joslin. In addition to McKenzie’s substantial offer, the War Against Parental Alienation group, represented by Christo de Jager, is contributing a R10,000 reward. Though smaller in comparison, this amount is hoped to further encourage community participation in the search.
Joslin’s disappearance has left her family and the wider community in a state of distress. The last time Kerry Smith, Joslin’s mother, saw her daughter was when she left for work at noon, leaving Joslin in the care of her boyfriend. There have been unconfirmed sightings of Joslin accompanied by an unidentified male, stirring more concern among those involved in the search.
Community and Authorities Rally Together
In the days following her disappearance, a diverse coalition of residents, local organizations, and political entities have joined the family’s efforts to locate the Grade 1 student of Diazville Primary School. Advanced search techniques, including the use of a police helicopter and drones, have been deployed over Saldanha Bay and its vicinities in hopes of finding Joslin.
McKenzie expressed solidarity with the community’s efforts and highlighted the challenges faced by those taking the initiative to 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.
He further emphasized the urgency of the situation and the need for collective action:
“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.
Echoing this sentiment, De Jager shared his empathy towards the unimaginable pain of losing a child:
“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.
How to Help
The search for Joslin Smith is ongoing, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. Contact details for those who may have leads include:
- Sergeant Meyer Millstine of Vredenburg FCS: 079 879 8588
- Crime Stop: 08600 10111
- Missing Children SA: 072 6477464
| Contact | Number |
|---|---|
| Sgt. Meyer Millstine | 079 879 8588 |
| Crime Stop | 08600 10111 |
| Missing Children SA | 072 6477464 |
In these trying times, the unity and collective effort of the community, supported by generous rewards, underscore the urgency and importance of finding Joslin Smith. The search continues with hope and determination, reflecting a community’s resolve to reunite a young girl with her family.
