Missing Joshlin Smith: Saldanha Bay community panicked and frustrated
Search operations for the six-year-old girl during the week intensified after blood-stained clothing believed to be hers was discovered in a field close to her home over the weekend.
Missing 6-year-old Joshlin Smith. Picture: Western Cape Missing Persons Unit/Supplied.
CAPE TOWN - Six-year-old Joshlin Smith has not been found but the police in the Western Cape have managed to rope in several people for questioning about her abrupt disappearance.
Smith went missing outside her home in Saldanha Bay, near Cape Town, two weeks ago.
ALSO READ:
- Police call for responsible use of social media as Joshlin Smith search enters 15th day
- Massive operations ongoing in Saldanha Bay as search for Joshlin Smith continues
- Joshlin Smith: Missing Children SA calls for calm after blood-stained clothing found in search
Police intensified their operation during the week after blood-stained items were found in a field near the little girl's home over the weekend.
The public has been urged to allow the relevant authorities to continue with their investigation.
Western Cape Missing Persons Unit CEO Candice Van der Rheede said community support in such cases is vital.
However, Van der Rheede expressed concern over the public's involvement in the case.
"I understand that people are frustrated because nothing seems to be bringing out this child. So, everybody's now frustrated. They are panicking, and it makes them even more determined to try and get to the bottom of it."
Van der Rheede said it was best to let the relevant officials continue with the investigation.
"Please just allow SAPS [South African Police Service]... the people who know what they're doing are there now, so allow them to do their work."
Van der Rheede said when the public tampered with evidence, it often jeopardised the investigations.