With her fair skin, blonde hair, and green eyes, many believe Joshlin Smith’s disappearance is linked to her physical appearance. Others claim she was possibly mistaken for a person living with albinism.
This opinion was shared by a neighbour of the family who believes Joshlin’s mother, Kelly, was offered money in exchange for the missing girl.
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Joshlin disappeared from her home in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February. Despite extensive searches by police, professionals, and the community, she has yet to be found.
However, Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquin Appollis, and a friend, Steveno Van Rhyn, have been arrested for kidnapping and human trafficking. A fourth person, a female, has also been added to the accused and appeared before the court on Monday, 18 March.
According to Gayton McKenzie, Joshlin Smith was likely targeted over her fair features. Speaking in a Facebook Live over the weekend, the Patriotic Alliance leader, who has been actively searching for the little girl over the past month, believes human traffickers or possibly sangomas were attracted to her “European” looks.
McKenzie stated, “A man wanted a child who looked like a white person,” referencing his questioning of a possible lead in the investigation.
Meanwhile, David Louw, a neighbour of the family, claims Kelly was approached by sangomas who wanted to purchase little Joslin Smith. Louw, who often heard about these offers from Kelly, believes Joslin was mistaken for a person with albinism.
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He also believes that witchcraft was linked to the disappearance, stating, “What’s happening to Kelly is heartbreaking. She’s not herself; she has been bewitched. I warned her to stay away from them.”
@tifftheelee JOSLIN UPDATE!!DAVID IS BEING TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL AS HE GOT HURT IN THE CHAOS BETWEEN POLICE AND THE COMMUNITY OUTSIDE COURT TODAY. #joslinsmith #joslin #fyp #foryou #missing #tifftheelee ♬ original sound – Tiffany-Lee
As the search for Joshlin Smith continues, the possibility of mistaken identity due to her fair appearance and potential involvement of human traffickers and sangomas raises serious concerns. The community and authorities remain determined to find Joslin and bring those responsible to justice.
