Director of the Pink Ladies Organisation for Missing Children, Jacqui Thomas, says communities need to go back to looking after each other’s children.
She was responding to the disappearance of Joslin Smith, who has been missing for about two weeks now.
The six-year-old girl disappeared from her home in Saldanha Bay last month.
Her mother and her lover, who are said to be Tik users, are among the four people the state believes were involved in her abduction and trafficking.
According to reports, Joslin was sold for R20 000 and her clothes were found with blood stains at the weekend.
Thomas says she believes that people in the area in which the six-year-old lived knew what was happening, but chose to keep quiet.
Speaking to YNews, Thomas says although welfare officials could’ve been involved in Joslin and her siblings’ lives, nothing much could have come out of it as the country’s social development system is flawed.
She attributes her assertions to an alleged lack of leadership and real chain of command.
Thomas says government needs to fix this almost non-existent system.
Following concerns about the safety of Joslin’s siblings, the Western Cape social development officials intervened and placed the two children under the guardianship of relatives.
Acting Western Cape Social Development MEC, Nomafrench Mbombo, says social workers are however monitoring the situation.
Joslin’s mother, Kelly Smith, and her three co-accused appeared before the Vredenburg Magistrates Court yesterday and were remanded in custody until next week Wednesday when a formal bail application is set to be heard.
They are facing charges of kidnapping and trafficking of a persons for purposes of exploitation.
Angry community members have called for a harsh sentence for the 34-year-old mother.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s Eric Ntabazalila says more charges are likely to be added and the stateΒ will also oppose bail for the accused.
South Africans also reacted to the case, which has grabbed international interest.
When I saw the shack Joslin Smith lived in, I immediately knew money was involved. Motherhood aside, we don’t talk enough about how poverty can drive you to do the unimaginable. pic.twitter.com/xwdeXKvmWG
β Sanna (@LesNew5) March 7, 2024
Reality is so many South African children are Joslin Smith. She probably seen so many adults take drugs in front of her.. there is a possibility she was abused yet she still can put on a smile on her face. ππππ
β Sandra Boyce (@Sandraboyce19) March 7, 2024
Crime is something that most people in SA have experienced – often in traumatic ways.
But it feels like the disappearance of #JoslinSmith and the disturbing allegations that surround it has hit a new level of heartbreak.Praying this child is rescued. Praying no one hurts her. pic.twitter.com/ItoqHQoP0Q
β Karyn Maughan (@karynmaughan) March 7, 2024
Joslin Smith case is so heartbreaking π Who will protect children if parents are involved in selling? Saddest story ever. πππππ₯Ή
β β¨Bβ¨ (@Beevatar) March 7, 2024
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