Western Cape police have confirmed that the body discovered in a river in Saldanha Bay is not that of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith.
Also read: Search efforts continue in locating missing six-year-old Saldanha child
According to police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Malcolm Pojie, officers are still investigating Joshlin’s disappearance. ‘The search and investigation continues. Rumours that the child’s body was discovered are unfounded.’
News24 reports that the police’s Air Wing helicopter and search and rescue dogs from the K9 Unit were dispatched to the area.
A friend of the Smith family and spokesperson, Zulpha Cupido, says a helicopter hovered over a ‘nearby river for a very long time’, which sparked fears that police and rescue teams had found something.
‘We are still hoping and praying that Joshlin is found safe. The fact that the helicopter is still circling at the exact same location is making us very anxious. Police are telling us they are doing all they can to find our Joshlin, and we must be patient because as soon as they find something, we will be informed.’
‘We can’t sleep because we are so nervous about what is happening with the search and where the child is.’
In a Facebook post, Saldanha Bay Mayor André Truter confirmed that the Air Wing helicopters bolstered search efforts.
‘We remain focused on finding little Joshlin. The investigating team is following up on all leads and evidence. The volunteers will again meet at Diazville Community Centre and be guided from there by SAPS.’
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Picture: South African Police Service