Missing for just over a year now, hopeful speculations are arising across social media platforms following the reported confirmation that little Joshlin Smith was captured on CCTV earlier this month, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Charity Organisation Pay It Forward founder Greg Wells-Clifton is reportedly in possession of the CCTV footage showing a girl, strongly believed to be Joshlin, entering a store in an undisclosed town.
Greg, who has been documenting his lengthy investigation on Facebook, took to the social media platform to announce the confirmation after more than two weeks of investigation in the unknown town:
‘Yesterday, I set down a few printed images from the stills obtained from the footage, in front of two people. There was no hesitation. I watched the faces,’ reported Greg.
‘I called it in to those who need to know, when the chills had subsided. The rest I will leave right there.’
In his update shared on Friday, 28 February, Greg added that because he does not know Joshlin personally, it was essential to contact those who do. Greg previously reported that he had consulted with several members of the Diazville community who had been in personal contact with Joshlin.
‘Our belief that this in fact is her, is based on that confirmation. Up until yesterday, I had said we needed to find out whether it was her, or not her. After the get together yesterday, I am saying it is – based on being told without hesitation that it in fact is.’
He also previously reported that ‘SAPS visited the store on three occasions to follow up, unsuccessfully’ in a bid to track and trace the individuals seen in the CCTV footage.
Unable to post the footage, Greg initially shared limited stills to the platform prior to the confirmation, which subsequently sparked many debates with many arguing that the images showed a much darker girl, with much darker hair. In response, Greg shared the following images taken ‘just 1.3 seconds apart as the child moves and the lighting changes’.
He concluded his latest update by reiterating that the confirmation by no means indicates that the little girl was found, but that she may very well still be alive, adding that he will continue investigating until Joshlin is located.
Wednesday, 19 February 2025, marked the first anniversary of the six-year-old’s disappearance. To date and despite extensive searches, Joshlin remains missing.
As it stands, the three accused of her disappearance, namely Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith; her boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis; and Steveno van Rhyn, are facing charges of kidnapping and trafficking in persons for exploitation.
The trio will stand trial from 3 March to 28 March 2025 at the Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay.
Joshlin’s mother was being held in Pollsmoor Prison and will now be transferred to Malmesbury Prison, a location in closer proximity to the community centre turned court.
Also read:
One year on: Hope, mystery surround Joshlin Smith’s disappearance – Psychic weighs in
Picture: Pay It Forward / Facebook
