Saldanha Bay community believes Joshlin Smith is held captive in the area

CAPE TOWN - The Saldanha Bay community believes missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith is being held captive somewhere in the town.

Three months ago - on the 19th of February - Joshlin disappeared from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay.

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Since then, the little girl's mother, Racquel Smith her boyfriend, Jacquen Appolis and their friends, Stevano van Rhyn and Lourentia Lombaard have been arrested and charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.

Despite an ongoing search and a confession from Lombard, authorities have yet to locate Joshlin.

Community leader Vernon Vraagom says residents believe Joshlin is close to home.

"The community is still of the view or they still believe that Joshlin is still in Saldanha in Middelpos and that she is still alive."