Private investigator Tyrone Power has disputed claims by Minister Gayton McKenzie that he was hired to investigate the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, stating that he works for free for the missing girl’s family and that some of McKenzie’s statements are not true .
Power Clarifies His Role
Power told Rapport that while he is investigating the Joshlin Smith case, he is doing so pro bono for the family and was not appointed by McKenzie .
“I read things in the media and wonder whether Gayton is talking about me or perhaps about someone else he did appoint. I work for free for Joshlin’s family and was not appointed by him. Some of the things he says, I did not say,” Power said .
When McKenzie contacted him, Power said he told the minister, “I do things on my own”. McKenzie then offered to help “with resources” and gave him money to cover travel and accommodation costs . Power added that he has since cut ties with the minister .
Disputed Claims
At the launch of the Joshlin Smith Foundation last weekend, McKenzie claimed he had hired a private investigator to find the missing girl from Saldanha Bay . The minister also said state witness Laurentia Lombaard was willing to provide extra information about the case and that her boyfriend, Ayanda Letoni, could be the “mastermind” behind the kidnapping . McKenzie further stated that they regard Joshlin as still alive .
Power disputed these claims. “[Lombaard] never said she wanted to talk to the police or that her child was assaulted. That’s not true. I also did not say Joshlin is still alive. I said I regard her as alive until we have forensic evidence that proves the contrary,” he said .
Investigation Continues
Power said he has uncovered new information in the case and has handed it to the police’s organised crime unit in the Western Cape . He also claimed he sent the information to McKenzie’s lawyer but did not hear back .
Joshlin was six years old when she disappeared from the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay in February 2024 . Her mother, Kelly Smith, and co-accused Boeta Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were sentenced last year to life imprisonment for human trafficking and 10 years for kidnapping . The search for Joshlin continues .
