Joslin Smith missing for 935 days as fresh evidence claims emerge

Friday, 11 September, marks 935 days since Joslin Smith disappeared from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay, with fresh claims about possible evidence bringing renewed attention to the search for the missing girl.

Joslin was six when she disappeared on 19 February 2024. Despite extensive searches and the conviction of three people for kidnapping and human trafficking, authorities have not found her.

Now, search activist Reverend June Dolley-Major says items recovered from dunes in Saldanha Bay could hold new clues.

Searchers recover items from Saldanha dunes

According to a report, Dolley-Major revealed the findings at a briefing in Cape Town on Thursday, 10 September.

She said searchers recovered several items, including clothing, material and plastic bags, during searches conducted after the court case ended.

Dolley-Major claimed testing conducted on the items indicated a possible DNA link to Joslin. She also said tests detected blood on some of the material.

SAPS has not publicly confirmed the results.

According to Dolley-Major, police officers collected the items on 26 June 2026 after members of the search team handed them over for further investigation.

She has called for further forensic examination of the material and a more extensive search of the area.

Sponsors have also offered to fund specialist equipment, a trained cadaver dog and private forensic testing.

Joslin remains missing despite convictions

The Western Cape High Court convicted Joslin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn of kidnapping and human trafficking in May 2025.

Judge Nathan Erasmus sentenced all three to life imprisonment for human trafficking and a further 10 years for kidnapping.

The court later dismissed their application for leave to appeal their convictions and sentences.

The case established criminal responsibility for Joslin’s trafficking, but investigators have still not established where she is.

Gayton McKenzie previously joined search

Patriotic Alliance leader and Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie became actively involved in efforts to find Joslin following her disappearance.

In March 2026, McKenzie launched the Joslin Smith Foundation to assist families of missing children and support searches.

At the time, he also said he had received new information about Joslin’s disappearance and would hand it to the acting police minister.

The South African contacted McKenzie for comment on the latest developments and to establish whether he remains involved in the search for Joslin. He had not responded at the time of publication.

More than two-and-a-half years after Joslin disappeared, authorities have yet to find her or establish what ultimately happened to her.