Cape Town — The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) revealed that new leads in the investigation of Joshlin Smith have surfaced that may lead to the whereabouts of the missing six-year-old.
The words were spoken during the chaotic scenes that ensued outside the Vredenburg Magostrate’s Court where police were forced to use teargas and stun grenades on the impatient crowd. The NPA revealed it received new information linked to Joshlin’s disappearance, The Citizen reported.
“Concerning the ongoing investigation, the NPA informed the court that we have received additional information, particularly regarding the child’s whereabouts. Investigators should follow up on that,” Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said.
It is claimed that two more suspects are in police custody for questioning. Saldanha Bay councillor, Vernon Vraagom, said he and the community feel like the police are not keeping them updated about the case.
🟡The NPA says they are following up on new information regarding the whereabouts of the missing 6-year-old Saldahna girl Joslin Smith. Investigators are taking down further witness statements and conducting data analysis of the cell phones of the accused. 1/2
— Smile90.4 FM (@Smile904FM) March 14, 2024
“We feel they should inform us about what happened to Joshlin and what the way forward is,” Vraagom said. There are two [suspects] in protective custody and the community feels that they should be questioned.” he said.
Meanwhile, the Cape Town community forum condemned the actions of the public during the court proceedings. Residents were angry that they could not enter the court premises, IOL reported.
“Cape Forum attended the proceedings because this civil rights organisation, together with the community, opposed bail for the accused. Within a few days, more than 1,500 people signed the organisation’s online petition, in which the public can voice their opposition to the granting of bail to the accused,” Cape Forum’s executive chairperson, Heindrich Wyngaard said.
According to the organisation, Wyngaard was also affected by the tear gas outside court.
“With our petition, we want to ensure that the focus remains on a child from our community who has disappeared and that we have not yet found answers to that,” Wyngaard said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
