Police Debunk False Claims Joshlin Smith’s Remains Were Found

South African police have strongly condemned circulating social media posts claiming that the remains of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith have been discovered.

Authorities described the claims as false and deeply irresponsible, warning that such misinformation causes unnecessary emotional harm.

Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said: “[We have] noted with concern various false social media posts in relation to the body of Joshlin Smith being found.”

“It is on this basis, as a law enforcement agency, that we wish to caution social media users against posting unverified information about this.”

Misleading Posts On Joshlin Smith Spark Outrage Online

The widely shared posts alleged that decomposed remains were located in the Saldanha dunes using a cadaver dog and a device referred to as “Danie’s gadget”.

The claims referenced Danie Krugel, a former police officer known for controversial assertions in 2007 that he had identified possible remains linked to historic child abduction cases involving Gert van Rooyen.

The viral posts further alleged that items found at the scene belonged to Joshlin and called for authorities to secure the area — claims police have categorically dismissed.

Van Wyk warned that spreading false information not only misleads the public but also causes distress to families and communities.

“A plea is hereby made to social media users, to use these platforms responsibly and to verify the source as well as the authenticity of the information before sharing it,” he said.

Joshlin disappeared from the Middelpos informal settlement in Saldanha Bay in February 2024 and remains missing despite extensive search efforts.

Separate Discovery of Unidentified Body Under Investigation

Police also confirmed a separate incident involving the discovery of a badly decomposed body in Jacobsbaai on Thursday afternoon.

Officers responded to a complaint and found the body of an unidentified adult man in an open field.

“The extreme weather conditions the past few days, made it currently impossible to identity the body.

“A postmortem will be conducted to determine the cause of death, age and race of the person,” Van Wyk said.

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In a related development, Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, along with co-accused Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn, were sentenced last year to life imprisonment for human trafficking and an additional 10 years for kidnapping.

The sentences are being served concurrently, and all three have been added to the national child protection register.

Meanwhile, during the launch of the Joshlin Smith Foundation in Saldanha Bay, Dayton McKenzie expressed hope that the young girl could still be alive.