Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie has defended his party’s role in keeping Joslin Smith’s disappearance in the public eye.
The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture made the remarks during a Facebook Live broadcast on Sunday, 25 October.
McKenzie claimed South Africans might have forgotten about the missing girl without his party’s efforts. His comments came days after Joslin celebrated her ninth birthday on Friday, 23 October.
Gayton McKenzie Defends PA’s Media Ban
McKenzie made the claims while explaining the PA’s decision to stop granting interviews to South African media outlets.
He announced the media ban on Sunday, 18 October, accusing journalists of portraying his party negatively.
During his latest broadcast, McKenzie argued that the PA had helped maintain public interest in Joslin’s disappearance. However, his involvement in the case has also attracted criticism.
Despite the controversy, the politician insists he remains committed to finding the missing child.
McKenzie also rejected suggestions that Joslin might have died. Instead, he maintained that he still believes she is alive.
“The moment I think Joslin is dead, I have to stop looking for her,” he said, translated from Afrikaans.
“I believe Joslin is still alive. You may believe Joslin is dead, but I believe she is still alive.”
Earlier this year, McKenzie claimed he had received new information about the disappearance. He also launched a foundation bearing Joslin’s name.
Joslin Smith Remains Missing Despite Convictions
Joslin disappeared from her home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay, on 19 February 2024. She was only six years old.
Her disappearance sparked widespread concern, with authorities launching an investigation into her whereabouts.
Her mother, Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are serving life sentences for human trafficking.
The Western Cape High Court sentenced the trio on 29 May 2025. They also received additional 10-year sentences for kidnapping, which run concurrently.
However, the convictions have not answered the central question surrounding the case. Investigators have yet to locate Joslin.
Consequently, uncertainty continues to surround the circumstances of her disappearance. Police have kept the investigation open as questions about her whereabouts persist.