South African Navy Joins Search for Missing 6-Year-Old Girl in Saldanha Bay

In a bid to aid in the search for a 6-year-old girl who disappeared two weeks ago, the South African navy has been enlisted for assistance. The missing girl, Joslin Smith, was last seen on Feb. 19 in the Saldanha Bay area on South Africa's west coast, approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of Cape Town.

Multi-Agency Effort

The search efforts have seen the collaboration of various agencies including the police, firefighters, specialized K-9 dog units, and now personnel from a South African navy base in Saldanha Bay. Drones have also been deployed to survey extensive areas of land near the informal settlement where Joslin lived, comprised of shacks and small houses.

Community Involvement

Furthermore, hundreds of community members have actively participated in the search. Over the weekend, members of the community reported discovering a knife and a girl's clothing stained with blood, which they claimed to have handed over to the police for investigation. The police have confirmed that items found during the search have been sent to a laboratory for forensic examination.

Police Minister's Appeal

Police Minister Bheki Cele held a meeting with Joslin's family on Saturday, urging the community to maintain calm amidst rising tension following the girl's disappearance. The young girl's mother, Kelly Smith, revealed that she and her boyfriend had to seek refuge at a police station due to threats from aggrieved neighbors. However, the police did not provide any comments on this matter. Cele implored the community to avoid resorting to blame.

Search and Rescue Statistics

The search for Joslin has highlighted the broader issue of missing children in South Africa. The Missing Children South Africa charity, which is actively involved in the search for Joslin, revealed that police statistics indicate a chilling rate of a child going missing every five hours in the country. Even more alarming is the fact that approximately a quarter of the missing children suffer fatal consequences, falling victim to trafficking, or remain undiscovered.