Complaints against Gayton McKenzie related to Joshlin Smith case fully investigated - SAPS

SALDANHA BAY - Police say complaints of kidnapping and interfering with the course of justice in the Joshlin Smith case against Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie have been fully investigated.

McKenzie was actively involved in searching for the then six-year-old girl, who disappeared from her Middelpos home, in Saldanha Bay in February last year.

The child’s mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend, Jacquen Apollis and his friend, Stevano van Rhyn, are on trial for kidnapping and human trafficking charges.

They are accused of selling the girl to a sangoma for R20,000.

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Minister McKenzie admitted that he was with Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, on several occasions after the child went missing to offer support and help find her daughter.

Investigating officer, Wesley Lombard, has testified that McKenzie and some social media influencers hindered police work and posed a risk to the missing child’s safety.

The politician took to social media on Sunday to confirm the complaints against him, including a possible charge of kidnapping levelled against him by Ayanda Letoni, the boyfriend of former accused-turned-State-witness, Lourentia Lombaard.

"We've given our side of the story. All of us. We've given statements. We are now waiting to see are they going to charge us."

Police on Monday confirmed that the case docket was currently with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).