Western Cape police plead with the public to help find Joshlin
Authorities have been trying to locate the little girl for more than two weeks now after she disappeared from her home while under the care of her mother's partner.
Missing 6-year-old Joshlin Smith / Facebook: Rosemarie Pluke
CAPE TOWN - As the search for missing Joshlin Smith has been widened, Western Cape police are pleading with members of the public to assist in finding the six-year-old.
Authorities have been trying to locate the little girl for more than two weeks now, after she disappeared from her home while under the care of her mother's partner.
Earlier on Thursday Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith was charged with kidnapping and human trafficking along with three other suspects, including her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis in the Vredenburg Magistrates Court.
Speaking outside the court Provincial Police Commissioner Thembisile Patekile said even though the case is now in court, the priority remains to find Joshlin.
While urging the public to help with the search for Joshlin, Patekile also warned citizens not to interfere in the investigation.
"We got people in court and therefore an investigation has to be allowed to take its course. For anyone trying to interfere with the investigation, they will face the might of the law."
With Joshlin now missing for 17 days Patekile says the search has widened to the entire West Coast area and beyond.
"Our ultimate goal is to find the child so that closure can be made. And as we pray that we find the child alive we make an appeal to everyone to assist us to find the child."
The National Prosecuting Authority says as the investigation unfolds more suspects and extra charges will likely be added to the court case.