In a bold move, Gayton McKenzie has expressed his thoughts on Kelly Smith, the mother of missing Saldanha Bay girl, Joslin Smith, who has been making headlines for her ongoing trial and weight gain while incarcerated.
Kelly, a mother of three, is currently behind bars at Pollsmoor Prison in the Western Cape.
Her charges include child trafficking and kidnapping, alongside her partner, Jacquin “Boeta” Apollis, and a male friend, Steveno van Rhyn.
They stand accused of selling their daughter, Joslin, who went missing on February 19, 2024, to fund their drug habits.
Gayton’s Critique: Weight Gain and a Call for Truth
On March 3, Gayton McKenzie took to Facebook to comment on Kelly Smith’s appearance, specifically her noticeable weight gain since being detained.
He suggested that the change wasn’t due to the food she was receiving in jail, but rather the absence of drugs in her system.
In his post, Gayton, who now holds the position of Minister of Sport, Art, and Culture, emphasized the importance of Kelly coming clean.
“I sincerely hope that the goodness we are all born with shall return,” he wrote.
“She must confess and share the truth with the authorities about what happened to her daughter Joslin.”
Gayton made it clear that, for him, this wasn’t just about the physical consequences of drug abuse; it was about the loss of who someone was. He believes that as Kelly detoxes, the truth may finally emerge.
Gayton’s Personal Commitment to Finding Joslin
Gayton has been publicly committed to finding Joslin since her disappearance.
In fact, a year ago, he launched a private search, using his own funds to help track down the missing child.
At the time, Gayton faced some criticism, with accusations that he was using the situation to influence voters.
Before Joslin’s disappearance, Gayton had also offered help to Kelly and her partner.
He had arranged a meeting with Kelly at a Spur restaurant and even paid for their accommodation after they received threats from locals. Despite the controversy, Gayton has continued his support for the case.
The Joslin Smith Foundation: Still a Work in Progress
A significant part of Gayton’s promise has been the creation of the Joslin Smith Foundation, which aims to raise awareness about missing children in South Africa.
As the anniversary of Joslin’s disappearance approached, many people began asking whether Gayton had followed through on his plan.
In July, Gayton mentioned that his lawyers were in the final stages of registering the foundation.
However, as the year went on, there were delays.
In November, he shared an update on Facebook, explaining that the foundation was not yet up and running because he wanted to ensure it was done right.
“Rushing into the creation of any foundation would be a mistake,” he stated.
“This is a personal matter, and I want to make sure it’s handled properly with my own funds.”
He reassured the public that despite the delays, he had not gone back on his word about donating his ministerial salary to support the foundation.
What Do You Think of Gayton’s Intentions?
As the search for Joslin continues and Kelly Smith’s trial unfolds, questions about Gayton McKenzie’s true motivations remain.
Is he genuinely dedicated to helping find missing children, or is there a political angle to his actions?