Police have apprehended a suspect in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, a six-year-old from Saldanha Bay, who is suspected to have been sold for approximately R20,000.
Joshlin, a Grade 1 student at Diazville Primary School, has gone missing since Monday, February 19, about 5pm.
Kelly Smith, Joshlin’s mother, told police that she asked about the child’s location but was unable to locate her.
She later contacted her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis, who was supposed to care for the child, but he was unable to account for her whereabouts.
Joshlin was last seen in a light blue T-shirt and denim shorts. She also has a birthmark on her left arm.
The suspect taken into police custody is believed to be close to Joshlin.
A trusted source close to the investigation said a suspect had allegedly confessed to selling the young girl to an African woman for about R20,000.
“He was arrested. He said he sold her to an African woman,” the source said.
