The Disappearance of Joslin Smith: A Timeline of Heartbreak and Mystery
We remember her family’s pain, the way an entire nation has held its breath, hoping for good news.
When six-year-old Joslin Smith disappeared in Saldanha, along the Cape West Coast, the whole country seemed to hold its breath. No case in the previous year has had the same impact, bringing together people from every part of life. Families, neighbours, strangers, even politicians, searched for answers, prayed, and kept hope alive. The image of that green-eyed little girl with pale hair became the face of unity. As 19 February marks one year since her disappearance, we’ll take a look back at the events that unfolded, the tireless efforts, and the heartbreak the nation experienced together in the search for Joslin.
19 February, 2024 – Joslin Smith Goes Missing
On the afternoon of 19 February, Joslin was left at home with her mother’s boyfriend. She wasn’t feeling well, so her mother decided to leave her in his care while she went to work. When her mother returned later that evening, Joslin was gone. There was no sign of where she had gone or who might have been involved.
20 February, 2024 – Missing Person Report Filed
The next day, the mother reported Joslin as missing to the local police. Authorities confirmed that a missing person’s report was filed, and the search for the little girl began in earnest. The community rallied together in the hope of finding Joslin safe, but with no immediate leads, the case began to attract widespread attention.
26 February, 2024 – Anonymous Donation for Joslin’s Safe Return
As the search for Joslin continued, a group of anonymous donors stepped forward, offering a R20,000 reward for information leading to Joslin’s safe return. The donation was made to the Saldanha Bay Municipality, further demonstrating the community’s desperation to bring the missing girl home.
27 February, 2024 – Allegations Surface
While the search was still ongoing, a Facebook Live interview revealed a disturbing claim. Kelly’s sister, Mickeyla Daniels, stated that Kelly, Joslin’s mother, knew where her daughter was. According to Mickeyla, Kelly had told her that Joslin was in a squatter camp, where someone had attempted to buy her for R10,000. The shocking allegations pointed to the possibility of human trafficking, and the investigation began to take a darker turn.
27 February, 2024 – Search Efforts Scale Back
Despite these new revelations, authorities scaled back the search, citing that all available resources had been exhausted. Police, K9 units, divers, and air teams had searched the area, but no trace of Joslin was found. The investigation seemed to stall, and the community was left with more questions than answers.
2 March, 2024 – Blood-Stained Clothing Found
In a new development, police found blood-stained clothing during their search. The discovery raised concerns that Joslin may have been harmed, but it also added to the confusion as authorities worked to determine whether the blood belonged to Joslin. The search efforts grew more intense as investigators tried to make sense of the evidence.
4 March, 2024 – South African Navy Joins the Search
In an effort to cover more ground, the South African Navy was brought in to assist with the search. Police, firefighters, K9 units, and even drones were deployed to search vast areas near the informal settlement where Joslin lived. Despite the expanded search efforts, no new information emerged.
7 March, 2024 – Four Suspects Appear in Court
The case took a significant turn when four individuals, including Joslin’s mother Kelly, were arrested and appeared in court. The charges they faced included trafficking for exploitation and kidnapping. The court proceedings were closely followed by the public, who had been waiting for answers regarding Joslin’s disappearance.
13 March, 2024 – Charges Dropped Against One Suspect
On 13 March, the court heard that charges were dropped against one of the suspects, Phumza Sigaqa. The remaining three suspects, including Kelly, were denied bail as the investigation into Joslin’s disappearance continued.
18 March, 2024 – Lorentia Lombard Arrested
A new arrest was made in connection with the case. Lorentia Lombard, a 31-year-old woman, was charged with trafficking and kidnapping. Her arrest raised further questions about the involvement of multiple individuals in Joslin’s disappearance and deepened the mystery surrounding the case.
27 March, 2024 – Reward Raised to R1 Million
In an effort to find Joslin, Gayton McKenzie, leader of the Patriotic Alliance (PA), announced a reward of R1 million for any information leading to her safe return. The large sum of money highlighted the urgency of the search and the desperation of those hoping to bring Joslin back home.
2 April, 2024 – Items Found in Drain Sent for Forensic Testing
A breakthrough in the case occurred when a blue fleece top, a Karrimor backpack, and a baby blanket were discovered in a drain in Saldanha. These items were sent for forensic testing to determine whether they were connected to Joslin. The find brought a glimmer of hope, but it would take time to confirm whether they held any significance.
8 April 8, 2024 – DNA Test Reveals Clothes Not Connected to Joslin
The clothing found earlier in the drain was tested for DNA, and the results confirmed that the blood on the items did not belong to Joslin. This revelation forced investigators to reassess the evidence and consider other possible leads.
17 April, 2024 – Police Digging Near Diazville Drain
The investigation took another turn when police were seen digging near a drain in Diazville, following up on information from a tipster who had reported seeing two men near the site. Despite the increased efforts, nothing significant was discovered.
13 May, 2024 – Kelly Appears in Court Pregnant
In a disturbing development, Kelly appeared in court with a visible pregnancy bump. The sight raised even more questions about her involvement in Joslin’s disappearance, and the proceedings continued to draw public attention.
16 September, 2024 – New Evidence Revealed in Court
The case was back in court in September, where new evidence was presented. Details of the evidence were not made public, but it was clear that the investigation was ongoing, and the legal process was moving forward.
21 October, 2024 – Lorentia Lombard Testified as State Witness
In a shocking turn of events, Lorentia Lombard agreed to testify as a state witness. She would testify against her three co-accused in exchange for leniency. The state alleged that Joslin’s mother, Kelly, had been the mastermind behind her daughter’s disappearance, planning the abduction for months. It was claimed that Joslin had been sold for R20,000, a horrifying detail that only deepened the case’s mystery.
Present Day – Suspects Remain in Custody
As of today, Kelly and her co-accused remain behind bars, facing charges related to Joslin’s disappearance. The search for answers continues, with the community and investigators alike holding out hope for justice.
Joslin’s disappearance continues to haunt those who knew her. As the investigation drags on, the hope for answers remains. With each new development, the search for the truth continues, but the pain for Joslin’s family and the community remains deeply felt.
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