New suspect charged in disappearance of South African girl

A new suspect has been charged over the disappearance of a six-year-old South African girl last month.

The search for Joslin Smith has transfixed the country since she went missing near her home in Saldanha Bay, 110km (70 Miles) northwest of Cape Town, on 19 February.

A 32-year-old woman was on Monday charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in the Vredenburg Magistrates’ Court in the Western Cape province.

Joslin's mother Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and another suspect are also in custody and face kidnapping and trafficking charges.

Last week, the court freed a traditional healer due to a lack of evidence.

The new suspect will be up for a bail hearing on 25 March while Ms Smith and the other suspects will be back in court on 13 May.

Joslin is yet to be found and her whereabouts remain unknown.

Ms Smith had previously told local publication The Daily Voice that she had not given up hope of finding her daughter.

"My motherly instincts are telling me my daughter is still alive and in this area. We will find her, I will walk on foot to find her. I will look in every little shack, I'm going to do it by myself if I have to."

Joslin was left in the care of Ms Smith's boyfriend before she went missing. He has denied any involvement.

On average, a child goes missing every five hours in South Africa, but most are found.