Community groups working together to curb mob justice while searching for missing Joshlin Smith
Smith went missing from her family home in Middelpos while in the care of her mother's boyfriend.
Residents around Middelpos in the Northern Cape gather on 27 February 2024 to search for six-year-old Joshlin Smith, who went missing eight days ago. Picture: Kayleen Morgan/Eyewitness News
CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape government is liaising with Saldanha Bay police and various community organisations to curb mob justice amid an ongoing search for missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith.
Smith went missing from her family home in Middelpos while in the care of her mother's boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis.
Western Cape MEC for Community safety, Reagen Allen said fake news and political interference are compromising the search for the little girl.
"We are concerned. On the one hand considering that there has been some fake news that has been circulated, we have seen political parties descend in that particular area, using the pain of a community for political gain," said Allen.
Allen added that he met with Western Cape Police Commissioner Thembekile Patekile and Saldanha Bay Mayor Andre Truter on Thursday.
"I can further confirm that our department will work closely with CPFs so that we can ultimately ensure that if there's fake news or if there's sentiments around potential retaliation or mob justice, to make sure that it can be squashed," said Allen.