Search for missing Saldanha Bay girl (6) continues

Source: EWN Traffic

CAPE TOWN - Residents from across the Cape West Coast have joined the search for a missing six-year-old from Saldanha Bay.

Joshlin Smith was reported missing on Tuesday.

Police said the little girl was left in the care of her mother's boyfriend, but he couldn't account for her whereabouts when questioned about the child's disappearance.

Witnesses said she was last seen near the local Diazville Clinic in the company of a young boy on Monday afternoon.

The town's mayor, Andre Truter, said searches had included the Saldanha sewage pipeline and parols in neighbouring towns.

"It was a crazy day. We were assisted by about 200 volunteers from the community and they covered a lot of area. The West Coast District Municipality also got involved, two drone pilots too as the day before, and then of course our own law enforcement and disaster management agencies. We searched very big areas, there were areas police concentrated on."

The search effort has been bolstered with aerial resources and manpower.

"Coming in today (Thursday) are some helicopters, more volunteers. The community has been absolutely amazing looking for Joshlin."