Gayton McKenzie Speaks Out On Joshlin Smith Case Amid Backlash And Kidnapping Allegations

Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture and leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), Gayton McKenzie, has broken his silence on the highly publicized Joshlin Smith case, addressing claims of kidnapping and interference.

The disappearance of the young girl, Joshlin Smith captured national attention, with McKenzie among those who helped raise awareness.

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However, McKenzie now faces allegations that he may have played a role in the abduction of Joshlin, and is being investigated for possible criminal charges.

On Sunday, McKenzie stated that accusations of kidnapping and interference with the investigation on the abducted Joshlin had been leveled against him.

He said, “We have given our statements to lawyers… it is now before the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to see whether they are going to prosecute us.”

Investigation Hindered By Misinformation And Social Media

Captain Wesley Lombard, who led the investigation into Joshlin Smith’s disappearance, detailed how misinformation, particularly spread through social media, disrupted the efforts of law enforcement.

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Lombard explained that rumors and false reports circulated rapidly, with some members of the community even claiming that the search for Joshlin had ceased after only a few days.

According to Lombard, “This made gathering assistance more difficult.”

He disclosed how TikTok influencers and live broadcasts undermined police efforts, giving suspects an opportunity to monitor law enforcement actions.

The spread of false information also posed a threat to Joshlin’s safety, as organized crime figures could use it to alter their actions.

He further noted that, despite these setbacks, police continued their search for Joshlin.

McKenzie’s Account Of The Case And His Involvement

McKenzie recounted his involvement in the search for Joshlin, explaining that the mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, a member of the PA, contacted him for help.

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McKenzie claimed that Smith told him that Nigerian individuals in the informal settlement had abducted her daughter.

“When I talked to her, I got the feeling that everything about her was not the behavior of a mother who has lost a child,” McKenzie said.

He continued to express doubts over the situation, but said he stayed on the case, helping to track down possible leads.

McKenzie went on to describe a claim that Joshlin had been sold to Ayanda Letoni for muthi, a traditional medicine, but McKenzie dismissed this, alleging that the real motive involved drugs and corruption.

He further claimed that Letoni, a known drug dealer in the community, had conspired with local officials to orchestrate the crime.

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