Police ministry irked by DA’s ‘poli-tricking’ tactics

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Police minister Bheki Cele has condemned what he term politicising a sensitive and painful matter of a missing child in an attempt to gain votes by the Democratic Alliance(DA).

He said his ministry has noted with absolute disgust the social media poster issued by the party, that seeks to misinform the public about the involvement of the South African Police Service (SAPS) in the ongoing search for Joslin Smith.

The six-year-old girl went missing on Monday, February 19, in Saldanha in the Western Cape.

The poster headlined ‘City of Cape Town invests resources to help find Joshlin Smith’ read; “ANC Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, has withdrawn SAPS from the search for seven-year-old Joshlin Smith, who went missing nine days go.

“Despite having fewer powers than SAPS, the DA-led City of Cape Town’s law enforcers are stepping up to take over the investigation.”

“For the record and contrary to the lies peddled on the social media post by the DA, the SAPS has not withdrawn from the search for the grade one pupil.

Police actively searching

“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.

“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,” he remarked. 

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Cele further called on the DA to be human and not use human beings, especially children as election tools.

He added; “It is 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”.