Police ministry rubbishes claims SAPS withdrew from Joshlin Smith's search

JOHANNESBURG - Police Minister Bheki Cele has rubbished claims that police officers were withdrawn from the search of a missing six-year-old girl in the Western Cape.

In a social media post allegedly by the Democratic Alliance (DA) the SAPS is accused of recalling officers deployed to search for grade one pupil Joshlin Smith.

Cele has responded by lambasting the party accusing it of politicising Joshlin's disappearance.

The child has been missing for eleven days now and was last seen at her family home in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay last Monday.

"The Police Ministry has noted with absolute disgust the social media post issued by the party that aims to misinform the public about the involvement of the SAPS in the search of Smith. For the record and contrary to the lies peddled by the DA, the SAPS has not withdrawn from the search," said Police Spokesperson Lirandzu Themba.