The four accused individuals in the high-profile case of the disappearance of 6-year-old Joslin Smith from her home in Saldanha Bay last month have been remanded in custody until next week Wednesday. This comes after a formal bail application hearing was scheduled during their court appearance before the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Thursday morning.

Among the accused is Kelly Smith, Joslin’s mother, with the group facing charges of kidnapping and trafficking of a person. Speaking outside the court, Western Cape Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen expressed hope that the investigation would unravel the events surrounding Joslin’s disappearance.

“We sincerely trust that the investigation will now unfold in terms of what has happened. But we are still keeping hope alive, knowing that we ultimately want to find Joslin unharmed,” Allen stated.

While the police investigation intensifies, two of Joslin’s siblings have been placed in the care of social workers, according to the Western Cape’s acting MEC for Social Development, Nomafrench Mbombo. “My appeal is about, at least, if we could be able to identify and get to know the whereabouts of Joslin. It doesn’t matter whether it comes as a body or what, but that is all we want to know,” Mbombo said.

Western Cape’s police commissioner, Thembisile Patakile, assured the public that efforts to find the missing girl would continue relentlessly. “As the investigation leads us, we will follow the lead. If more people are to be arrested, then so be it. Because, at this stage, we do not have a child,” Patakile stated. “Our ultimate goal is to find the child so that there can be closure. We pray that we find that child alive. We appeal to everyone to assist us to find the child.”

Patakile also warned against interference in the investigation, cautioning, “There is legislation, in terms of the Cybercrime Act, that a person can be charged for distributing false information. We only work with facts.”

As the case develops, the authorities remain committed to uncovering the truth and resolving the disappearance of Joslin Smith, while adhering to due process and respecting the integrity of the investigation.