A book about the disappearance of Joslin Smith has ignited a heated debate across South Africa, with critics accusing the author of profiting from a family’s pain.
The book, Joslin Smith: Echoes of A Missing Child, was written by Greg Wells-Clifton, founder of the charitable organisation Pay It Forward. It promises to chronicle the author’s experiences in following the case and conducting searches. The publication is scheduled for release on 1 December.
The Tragic Case That Shook Saldanha Bay
Joslin Smith, a blonde-haired, green-eyed girl from Diazville in Saldanha Bay, vanished in February last year. The case gripped the nation when, in May, her mother Kelly Smith and two accomplices, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were convicted of kidnapping and child trafficking. All three were sentenced to life imprisonment and denied leave to appeal.
Despite the resolution of the criminal case, Joslin’s disappearance continues to haunt her community. Many argue that a book revisiting the tragedy could reopen wounds unnecessarily.
Petition Launched Against the Book
Monthany Hendricks, founder and president of Atlantis Search and Rescue, has publicly opposed the publication, launching a petition to halt production. The petition argues that the book “profits from the pain” of Joslin’s family and contributes to the commodification of personal tragedy.
“Families dealing with the disappearance of a loved one deserve empathy, support, and privacy — not exploitation for monetary gain,” the petition states.
“Supporting this petition will send a strong message that we reject the exploitation of tragic events and demand that families like Joslin’s are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Hendricks urged the public and bookstores to boycott the book, framing the opposition as a matter of ethical standards and human decency.
Author Responds Amid Criticism
Greg Wells-Clifton has defended his work, insisting that the book is based on his personal experiences researching the case and that he has never met Joslin. In an interview with IOL, he said he conducted interviews with Joslin’s parents, including prison visits with Kelly Smith, but maintained that his intentions are to document the story rather than exploit it.
Pre-order details show the book will retail at R410 for print copies and R380 for digital versions, with personalised autographs included.
The controversy is compounded by Wells-Clifton’s earlier social media posts, which included alleged footage of Joslin. These posts were widely condemned for potentially interfering with ongoing investigations and causing further distress to the family.
Public Reaction: Mixed Emotions
The debate has split online communities. Many social media users express outrage, calling the book “insensitive” and “profiteering off tragedy.” Others argue that telling the story can bring awareness to missing children and the dangers of child trafficking, provided it’s handled ethically.
“It’s one thing to raise awareness, but another to monetise someone’s disappearance,” tweeted one concerned citizen.
In a country still grappling with child trafficking and abduction cases, the Joslin Smith book controversy highlights the fine line between storytelling and exploitation, and raises questions about how society should handle narratives of real-life tragedy.
{Source: The South african}
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