POLICE Minister Bheki Cele has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of exploiting the tragic case of missing six-year-old Joslin Smith for political gain.
Cele said he is saddened by how low the DA can stoop, politicising a sensitive and painful matter of a missing child in an attempt to gain votes.
He said his ministry has noted with absolute disgust the social media poster issued by the DA, that seeks to misinform the public about the involvement of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the ongoing search for Joslin. The little girl went missing on the 19 February in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape.
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“For the record and contrary to the lies peddled on the social media post by the DA, the SAPS has not withdrawn from the search for the grade one pupil. The helicopter has been taken off the overall police search plan. However, SAPS K-9 units and police members including investigators, are still actively searching for Joslin,” he said.
Cele said the SAPS is mandated by the constitution to prevent, combat and investigate crime and they will continue to do so and not leave communities on the ledge.
The minister called on the DA to be human and not use human beings, especially children, as election tools.
“It's clear the DA is trying to mislead its supporters and the South African public by peddling misinformation. The use of pain felt by a family who is waiting for their child to come home, is most insensitive and is a new low,” he said.
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