A Mystery Unfolding: The Disappearance of Joshlin Smith

3 mins read
missing child case dna tracking technology

The disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith from her home in South Africa has led to the arrest of four suspects accused of kidnapping and human trafficking. Independent investigator Danie Krugel has claimed to have detected the girl’s DNA using his Matter Orientation System, but its precision is yet to be confirmed. As legal proceedings continue, the community is left waiting for answers in this perplexing case.

A Mystery Unfolding: The Disappearance of Joshlin Smith

Independent investigator Danie Krugel claims to have detected the static DNA of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith in the vicinity using his controversial Matter Orientation System. Krugel’s device, which he asserts can pinpoint individuals using DNA evidence, has made headlines before, but its precision is yet to be confirmed. Four suspects have been arrested in connection with Joshlin’s case, accused of kidnapping and human trafficking. Legal proceedings are ongoing, with a court appearance scheduled for May 13.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

The Alarm Bells Ring in Saldanha Bay

The tranquility of Saldanha Bay, a quiet coastal town in South Africa, has been disturbed by an unexpected twist in a missing child case. The focus of this unsettling dispute is an independent investigator’s startling assertion regarding the abrupt disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. Danie Krugel, a former police officer from Bloemfontein who has gained fame through his contentious Matter Orientation System, has declared detecting the static DNA of the missing kid in the vicinity.

Joshlin was reported missing from her home in Diazville about two months ago, while under the watch of her mother’s boyfriend, Jacquen Appollis. Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, Joshlin’s mother, informed the authorities about her daughter’s absence a day later. While the formal police unit and investigation team were immersed in the case, Krugel started his independent probe by employing his DNA tracking technology.

The Mysterious Matter Orientation System

Krugel’s device, which he asserts can pinpoint individuals using DNA evidence, has made news several times, significantly in relation to high-profile disappearances like that of Madeleine McCann. Nonetheless, despite the media spotlight, these attempts haven’t been fruitful thus far.

Unfazed by the doubts surrounding his invention, Krugel remains steadfast in his belief. He asserts that he found Joshlin’s hair and duly notified the authorities without any charge, highlighting the urgency of the case. Krugel’s operation is driven by a mission to assist, using DNA to either locate missing individuals or link them to pieces of evidence.

However, the precision of Krugel’s device is yet to be confirmed. FC van Wyk, a police spokesperson, emphasized their inability to comment on the reliability of the device, but assured that all leads concerning Joshlin’s disappearance are being thoroughly investigated. The investigation team, in collaboration with community members, NGOs, and other law enforcement agencies, remains dedicated to their mission, regardless of the information’s origin.

Surprising Revelations and Lingering Doubts

While the situation continues to evolve, Lauretta Yon, Joshlin’s paternal grandmother, was kept in the dark. She was taken aback upon discovering the alleged breakthrough from a video presented by Reverend June Dolley-Major, an activist against gender-based violence. This video conveyed that DNA traces were discovered in Saldanha Bay, sparking concerns about the delay in divulging crucial information.

In the midst of this confusion, Vernon Vraagom, a councilor in Saldanha Bay, expressed his annoyance, questioning the two-week time frame specified by Dolley-Major for disclosing the exact location identified by Krugel. Vraagom’s dissatisfaction underscores the growing urgency and the community’s desperation to find Joshlin.

Legal Proceedings and Arrests

As the enigma deepens, four suspects have been arrested in connection with Joshlin’s case, accused of kidnapping and human trafficking. Among those apprehended were Joshlin’s mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, Jacquen Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Phumza Sigaqa. However, charges against Sigaqa were later dropped due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Lourentia Lombaard, a friend of Smith’s, was subsequently arrested and reportedly confessed her involvement in the case. Legal proceedings are ongoing with a court appearance scheduled for May 13.

The perplexing case of Joshlin Smith is shrouded in doubt and controversy. As investigators, both official and independent, painstakingly piece together the jigsaw, the community waits with bated breath, hoping for a resolution to the distressing saga. As Joshlin’s disappearance narrative continues to unravel, it serves as a stark reminder of the complex and often entangled nature of such investigations.

1. Who is Joshlin Smith?

Joshlin Smith is a six-year-old girl who disappeared from her home in Diazville, South Africa about two months ago.

2. Who is Danie Krugel?

Danie Krugel is an independent investigator and former police officer from Bloemfontein who has gained fame through his controversial Matter Orientation System. He claims to have detected the static DNA of Joshlin Smith using his device.

3. What is the Matter Orientation System?

The Matter Orientation System is a device invented by Danie Krugel that he asserts can pinpoint individuals using DNA evidence. Its precision is yet to be confirmed.

4. What are the legal proceedings in connection with Joshlin’s case?

Four suspects have been arrested in connection with Joshlin’s case, accused of kidnapping and human trafficking. Legal proceedings are ongoing with a court appearance scheduled for May 13.

5. Why is the case of Joshlin Smith controversial?

The case of Joshlin Smith is controversial due to the claims made by Danie Krugel regarding the detection of her DNA using his Matter Orientation System. The precision of his device is yet to be confirmed, and there are doubts surrounding its reliability.

6. What is the community’s response to Joshlin’s disappearance?

The community is left waiting for answers in this perplexing case. There are concerns about the delay in divulging crucial information and growing urgency to find Joshlin. The investigation team, in collaboration with community members, NGOs, and other law enforcement agencies, remains dedicated to their mission.

Zola Naidoo is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s shifting politics and the lived realities behind the headlines. A weekend trail-runner on Table Mountain’s lower contour paths, she still swops stories in her grandmother’s District Six kitchen every Sunday, grounding her reporting in the cadences of the Cape.

Previous Story

The Evolution of Orlando Pirates Football Club

Next Story

Cape Town’s Innovative Initiative: Incentivizing Solar Power Generation

Latest from Blog

A Teenager in a White Coat: How One Student Shattered South Africa’s Medical Age Record

{“summary”: “Imagine a whiz kid, David Obagbuwa, who started high school at 11 and became a doctor at just 21! He shattered South Africa’s medical age record, proving that a sharp mind and hard work can achieve amazing things. From classrooms in KwaZuluNatal to intense medical studies, David tackled every challenge. Even during lockdown, he quickly mastered his courses. Now, he’s ready to help people, showing that big dreams can come true, no matter how young you are.”}

Martian Dust, Carbon ankles & a R4-million Promise: Inside the 2026 Cape Epic’s Mobility Rebellion

Get ready for the 2026 Cape Epic, but this isn’t just any bike race! Three special teams, using amazing robotic legs and carbon ankles, will tackle the tough trails. They’re racing to raise R4 million to buy 200 new prosthetic limbs, 150 wheelchairs, and 50 sports blades for people in South Africa who need them. Every pedal stroke helps someone gain freedom and move again, showing that movement is for everyone, not just a few. This epic journey turns sweat into hope, changing lives one kilometer at a time.

Cape Town’s Shadow State: How Extortion Became the New Township Taxman

Cape Town has a big problem: bad guys are shaking down businesses and projects for money. They act like “taxmen” in townships, making building costs shoot up and forcing small shops to close. These criminals cause fear, stop important work, and even kill people who get in their way. It’s like a shadow government taking over, making life hard for everyone and costing the city tons of money. People are scared, and it’s unclear how this dangerous situation will ever truly end.

The Woman Who Taught Cape Town to Breathe Under Fire

Arlene Wehr taught Cape Town how to fight fires like a boss! She was one of the first women firefighters and totally changed the game. Arlene created cool new ways to find water, like “Operation Liquid Grid,” and made sure everyone had a chance to become a firefighter, even women. Because of her, Cape Town is safer, and the fire department is much more welcoming to all.

Morea House: Where the Atlantic Meets Art, Granite and Ghost-Nets

Morea House is Cape Town’s first fancy Marriott hotel, born from an old 1960s building. It shines with blushpink walls and art made from old fishing nets, making it feel truly special. This hotel is all about local beauty, from its design to its food, and even how it saves the planet. Imagine rooftop pools, unique spa experiences, and rooms where you wake up to amazing views. It’s a place where every detail tells a story of the ocean and the land, making your stay unforgettable.