Saldanha Bay mayor Andre Truter has reiterated calls for the public not to share live videos or unverified reports in connection with the disappearance of missing 6-year-old girl Joslin Smith.
The grade one learner at Diazville Primary School has been missing since 19 February 2024 and was last left in the care of her mother’s boyfriend.
Truter has vented outrage at so-called social media influencers and residents who, he says, are feeding criminals with a blow-by-blow via TikTok live videos:
“If there is a criminal thing that has happened here, which is suspected, highly suspected at this moment then you are giving a live-feed to criminal elements over what the police is doing, where we are at, and where we are looking at the moment.
He added that this is also creating secondary trauma for her loved ones:
“Secondly, you are causing a great amount of trauma to those who are already hurting. This is not a TikTok show. It is not a soap opera. This is about a missing 6-year-old, so let’s please stick to verified information,” Truter pleaded.
READ MORE: Search for missing 6-year-old Joslin Smith continues
