Joslin Smith's mom, three others to remain behind bars
The four accused in the Joslin Smith disappearance case have been remanded in custody until next week Wednesday when a formal bail application is set to be heard.
The 6-year-old girl disappeared from her home in Saldanha Bay last month.
The group appeared before the Vredenburg Magistrate's Court on Thursday morning.
The accused includes Joslin's mother, Kelly Smith.
They are facing charges of kidnapping and trafficking of a person.
Speaking outside court, Western Cape Community Safety MEC Reagen Allen said the police are a step closer to finding Joslin.
"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.
"We are aware that further charges can still be added to the sheet, and we will be closely working with SAPS to ensure that no stone is left unturned.”
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.”
Western Cape's police commissioner, Thembisile Patakile, said efforts to find the missing girl would continue.
"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 the child.
"Our ultimate goal is to find the child so that there can be closure. We pray that we find that child alive. We make an appeal to everyone to assist us to find the child," he added.
Patakile further warned members of the public not to interfere with police investigations.
"There is legislation, in terms of the Cybercrime Act, that a person can be charged for distributing false information. We only work with facts.”
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