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Joshlin Smith — TikTok, Gayton McKenzie and how the search became a social media circus

Joshlin Smith — TikTok, Gayton McKenzie and how the search became a social media circus
Vincent Cruywagen
By Vincent Cruywagen
6 Apr 2025
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Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie used Facebook to spread inaccurate news and influencers posted details on TikTok, all of which hampered police work.

The State’s star witness in the Joshlin Smith human trafficking trial, Laurentia Lombaard, testified last week that her boyfriend, Ayanda Letoni, was abducted by a group of men who allegedly took him to the police station against his will.

Lombaard and Letoni were at home in late February 2024, shortly after Joshlin had gone missing, when a group of people stormed into their home and stole some of their possessions. A day later, Letoni was taken against his will by another group to the Saldanha Bay police station. The two incidents, both recorded on TikTok, led them to believe their lives were in danger.

It has since been revealed that the police are investigating Patriotic Alliance leader and Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie’s role in Letoni’s alleged kidnapping and for interfering in the investigation into Joshlin’s disappearance on 19 February 2024.

McKenzie joined the search for Joshlin, sharing updates on his social media accounts and even offering a R1-million reward for the then six-year-old’s safe return.

As far back as May 2024, he was accused of interfering with the investigation. DA Federal Executive chairperson Helen Zille commented: “I hope there is enough evidence left after Gayton and his mates invaded the crime scene, inevitably disturbing vital clues.”

McKenzie hit back: “Today, they say we used Joshlin’s disappearance for politics. I am asking myself, ‘Where were you when we were looking for Joshlin?’”

In the days after Joshlin’s disappearance, McKenzie gave money to the child’s mother, Kelly Smith, paid for her to stay in a hotel and bought the family clothes.

Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and their friend Steveno van Rhyn are on trial for human trafficking and kidnapping, accused of selling Joshlin to a sangoma for R20,000.

McKenzie’s kidnapping charges


The police have not named McKenzie as a suspect in Letoni’s kidnapping case. Spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Malcolm Pojie said the two cases Letoni had opened were thoroughly investigated and the case docket was handed to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

“No one has been charged yet. Due to the sensitivity of the matter, no further details can be divulged, as the matter with regards to missing Joshlin is currently before court,” Pojie said.

Read more: Joshlin accused’s statement sparks legal debate: Judge weighs public interest against sealing evidence

Read more: Police, examining doctor say no evidence of torture alleged by Joshlin abduction accused

McKenzie, however, put the cart before the horse, saying in a live Facebook stream that he was aware Letoni had opened two cases against him. He continued to claim that Letoni should be the main suspect in Joshlin’s disappearance, and later repeated his viewpoint on SABC news.

Letoni’s purported kidnapping was recorded on TikTok and is among several videos and posts the State expects to use in court to demonstrate the impact social media has had on the case. A number of TikTok influencers have already given evidence.

Investigating officer Captain Wesley Lombard testified about McKenzie’s role: “When I took over the investigation a week after Joshlin went missing, it became clear to me that Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie had involved himself in the search for Joshlin. McKenzie used his social media profile to update the public about his party’s own search for the missing girl.”

Lombard said social media posts, many of which included misinformation, might have compromised the police investigation. He said everything the police did, including conducting searches, was recorded and published on TikTok.

“This made gathering assistance more difficult. TikTok influencers appeared to have more influence than law enforcement, with live broadcasts and sharing details of the investigation. This not only hindered police efforts, but also posed a risk to Joshlin’s safety, as suspects in organised crime could monitor police activity and adjust their actions accordingly,” Lombard said.

Other videos McKenzie posted that are of concern include an interview with Van Rhyn claiming Letoni had sold Joshlin for muthi. Van Rhyn’s lawyer, Nobahle Mkabayi, claimed that McKenzie also took his client to the police station. McKenzie also posted a video in March 2024 claiming he had read State witness Lombaard’s confession.

This information went viral on social media before the accused were arrested and their statements taken. Western Cape NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila has already indicated that the State will not be calling McKenzie to the stand.

No statement but live response


McKenzie’s spokesperson, Stacey-Lee Khojane, said he would not answer questions and would instead convey his opinion on social media.

In a more than hour-long video this week, McKenzie said: “We are waiting for them to arrest us. I will not petition for bail and will instead serve a year in jail with Ayanda as a witness. I have to confront my accuser.”

He denied claims that he had kidnapped Letoni and said he, in fact, protected his life when angry residents threatened to kill him, and carried him to the police station.

For his part, McKenzie is adamant that Lombaard, Appollis, Smith, Van Rhyn and Letoni (who has not been charged) had long intended to sell Joshlin, and that Letoni was the mastermind. He also denied compromising the police investigation and said that he had worked with the authorities to find Joshlin. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.

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