A private investigator, not affiliated with the official police and investigation team, based in Bloemfontein, has claimed to have detected the static DNA of missing Joshlin Smith in the Saldanha Bay area.
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This assertion has sparked controversy among some residents and Joshlin’s paternal grandmother, Lauretta Yon, who was unaware of any such discovery.
Joshlin (6) disappeared over two months ago from her home in Diazville while under the care of her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis. Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, reported her missing a day later.
Retired police officer Danie Krugel, known for his Matter Orientation System, alleged that he found Joshlin’s hair using DNA tracking technology. Krugel’s device gained attention when he attempted to locate missing people, like Madeleine McCann, in the past but with no success.
Krugel stated that they found Joshlin’s hair and shared their findings with the police without charging a fee due to the case’s significance.
‘My work is to use the DNA of people to help find them or link the DNA to evidence.’
‘We found Joshlin’s hair and we have our findings but we can only share it with the police.’
‘We didn’t charge anything for Joshlin because this case touched us, and also we wanted to help the police, and trust the police will do the best they can to help Joshlin.’
Police spokesperson FC van Wyk stated they couldn’t verify the accuracy of Krugel’s device but assured that all information related to Joshlin’s disappearance was thoroughly investigated.
‘This office cannot comment on the accuracy of the device quoted in the media enquiry. However, in the quest to find Joshlin Smith, all information received is followed up immediately by the investigation team irrespective of the source of methodology used to source the information.’
‘The above follow-up and sporadic searches are conducted in conjunction with community members, NGOs and other law enforcement agencies.’
‘To date, although all received information has been followed up, the whereabouts of Joshlin still remain unknown. Investigations and search continues.’
Yon expressed surprise at the purported breakthrough, as she was unaware of it until shown a video.
‘I had no idea about this breakthrough, someone came to show me the video and I was shocked,’ Yon explained.
The video, made by anti-gender-based violence activist Reverend June Dolley-Major, indicated that DNA traces were detected in Saldanha Bay, prompting concerns from Saldanha Bay councillor Vernon Vraagom about delays in disclosing crucial information.
‘Danie was trying to find hair samples of Joshlin to try and see if he could pinpoint exactly where Joshlin is. This equipment doesn’t show whether someone is alive or deceased. I was given his number, and we contacted each other. I found two elastic bands with Joshlin’s hair on it,’ she said.
‘Danie received them. He is in Bloemfontein. He ran it from there and picked up Joshlin’s DNA in Saldanha Bay and gave us the exact location, which I will reveal if the police don’t do anything in two weeks’ time.’
Vraagom said, ‘Why wait for two weeks to find out where the child is? A lot can happen in two weeks, he must take the police there. Take us there. We want the reverend to come out and show us the location. I’m furious that she came out now; are you taking the community for a ride? We either find her or not. We’re at the point where we say to all these people, when they have a vision, come and take us there, where God showed you, where Joshlin is. No one has done that.’
Meanwhile, Smith, Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn and Phumza Sigaqa were arrested and charged with kidnapping and human trafficking concerning Joshlin’s case.
However, Sigaqa had charges dropped due to lack of evidence. Lourentia Lombaard, who is also a friend of Smith, was subsequently arrested and purportedly confessed to involvement in the case.
According to IOL, the legal proceedings continue with a court appearance scheduled for 13 May.
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Picture: @ddt_golf25 / X