Suspect who allegedly sold missing Joshlin Smith arrested
Fifteen days after Saldanha Bay’s missing Joshlin Smith went missing, police have arrested a suspect who is believed to have sold the six-year-old child for around R20,000.
The missing Joshlin, a Grade 1 learner at Diazville Primary School, was last seen on Monday, February 19, at around 5 pm.
At the time of Joshlin’s disappearance, her mother, Kelly Smith told police she asked about the whereabouts of the child, but could not find her.
She later got hold of her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, who was supposed to look after the child, but he could not account for her whereabouts.
What Joshlin wore
Joshlin was last seen wearing a light blue T-shirt and light blue denim shorts. She also has a birthmark located on her left arm.
The suspect taken into police custody is believed to be close to Joshlin.
A trusted source close to the investigation told the publication, a suspect had allegedly confessed to selling the young girl to an African woman for about R20,000.
“He was arrested. He said he sold her to an African woman,” the source said.
The publication has approached the police for comment and this story will be updated once comment has been received. The R20,000 figure has also yet to be verified.
Baby Joshlin has still not been found.
On Saturday, Police Minister Bheki Cele together with SAPS management led by Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembisile Patekile, visited the community of Saldanha Bay and engaged with members of the community who have been searching day and night for the missing girl.
The City of Cape Town also deployed resources including its marine unit services, K9 unit, and more after police announced it would be scaling back its searches.
On Sunday, police confirmed the search for Joshlin had been expanded with drones and rescue dogs deployed in the area.
Police said pieces of clothing allegedly stained with blood were discovered on an open field on Saturday evening during random searches.
The clothing has been sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis.
Scores of neighbourhood watch members, community-based organizations, and local residents have continued to work around the clock in search of Joshlin.
Anyone with information, regarding the whereabouts of the missing Joshlin, is requested to contact the investigation officer, Sergeant Millstine of Vredenburg FCS at 079 879 8588 or Crime Stop at 086 001 0111.
-IOL News
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