The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie has vowed that he would be willing to face time in prison in pursuit of proving that Joshlin Smith is still alive.
The six-year-old from Saldanha Bay disappeared in February 2024 after her mother Kelly Smith decided to keep her home since she was not feeling well. At the time it was reported that she had been left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquen Apollis.
Despite continuous efforts to try and track her whereabouts, police and other governmental officials have been unable to make progress.
With a year now having passed by, her mother Kelly, and alleged accomplices Jacquen and Steveno Van Rhyn have been charged with human trafficking and kidnapping and are currently facing trial in their hometown of Saldanha Bay.
At the centre of tracking down the suspects was Gayton McKenzie who visited the town and did his private investigations by interviewing all those involved in Joshlin’s disappearance, including tracking down alleged sangoma Ayanda Letoni who was accused of purchasing Joshlin for muthi practices.
In a recent court appearance, however, detective Wesley Lombard testified that the Minister’s involvement in the case did more harm than good.
“This made gathering assistance more difficult. TikTok influencers appeared to have more influence than law enforcement, with live broadcasts, and sharing details of the investigation. This not only hindered police efforts but also posed a risk to Joshlin’s safety, as suspects in organised crime could monitor police activity and adjust their actions accordingly,” he said.
Meanwhile, Gayton has also been charged with kidnapping after he apprehended Ayanda and took him to the police station to ensure that he did not flee the area.
During a Facebook live chat, Gayton addressed the recent allegations made, expressing frustration that he had not been called in to testify as a state witness since he had close ties to the case.
He furthermore condemned law enforcers’ decision to protect Ayanda and suspected that he had close ties to political parties and figures.
In his live chat he expressed that he added: “Joshlin is alive! I will spend a year or even two years in prison for Joshlin. I’m not afraid. Joshlin’s life comes before mine. We’re going to get Joshlin”.
Also see: ‘Kelly, just tell the truth about Joshlin’ – Gayton McKenzie pleads for answers
