Search for Joshlin Smith bolstered with seasoned detectives, police say
The police’s handling of the six-year-old girl’s disappearance came under scrutiny by an angry mob who on Wednesday pelted stones outside a court at police and the media.
Missing 6-year-old Joshlin Smith / Facebook: Rosemarie Pluke
CAPE TOWN - The police say a team of seasoned detectives from the South African Police Service’s (SAPS) Organised Crime Unit is investigating the disappearance of Joshlin Smith in Saldanha Bay.
Concerns about police's handling of the case were highlighted at the Vredenburg Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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An angry crowd hurled stones at the media and police before being dispersed with stun grenades and tear gas outside the court.
Protesters involved in the chaos expressed dismay at police’s handling of the case and the court’s decision not to allow certain members of the Patriotic Alliance to film court proceedings.
Gender-based violence activist Reverend June Major said she joined the search for Joshlin one week after her disappearance.
Major said she alerted the investigating officer to one of the accused's alleged involvement in the disappearance of Joshlin.
"When I spoke to him afterwards, I told him Steveno's a person of interest and he needs to question him. His response to me was, ‘Hy's net 'n ou skelm [he’s just an old crook]’."
Police spokesperson Malcolm Poje said the investigation has now been reinforced with experienced detectives, and the search for Joshlin continues.