Western Cape police have followed up on new leads in the disappearance of 7-year-old Joshlin Smith, conducting searches in the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on Friday.
Joshlin was six years old when she went missing from her home in February 2023. Her mother, Kelly Smith, along with Steveno van Rhyn and Jacquen Appollis, were later convicted of human trafficking and kidnapping. They are currently serving life sentences for trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping.
The trio has filed for leave to appeal their sentences, with the hearing scheduled for August 12–13 at the Cape Town High Court. The court will also address the status of a Section 204 state witness during the proceedings.
Police spokesperson Novela Potelwa confirmed that detectives and K-9 units combed a specific area in Saldanha Bay as part of the ongoing investigation. “We are pursuing all possible leads to locate the child,” Potelwa said.
Authorities have requested that the public allow search teams to work without interference as the investigation continues.
#sapsWC [JOSLIN SMITH INVESTIGATION]
Western Cape police descended on Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay on Friday afternoon pursuing emerging information as part of the investigation into the disappearance of seven-year-old Joshlin Smith.As SAPS previously stated,… pic.twitter.com/WxPRzajySU
— SA Police Service 🇿🇦 (@SAPoliceService) July 26, 2025