Reagan Allen fires back at Gayton McKenzie over investigation claims
Reagan Allen, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, fiercely defends the integrity of the investigation into Joshlin Smith's disappearance, challenging Gayton McKenzie’s controversial claims.
Image: file
Former MEC of Police Oversight and Community Safety and current Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Reagan Allen, has strongly rejected Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture and Patriotic Alliance (PA) Leader Gayton McKenzie’s claims that he derailed the investigation into Joshlin Smith's case.
Allen argued that McKenzie politicised the sad reality of the child’s disappearance.
At the launch of the Joshlin Smith “JS” Foundation on Sunday in Saldanha, McKenzie dropped a bombshell when he claimed that Ayanda Letoni, the boyfriend of key state witness Laurencia “Renz” Lombaard, was the “mastermind” behind the kidnapping, with his revelations shared via Facebook live.
McKenzie further claimed that Lombaard was ready to tell the truth about what happened to little Joshlin and that he would be present the “new evidence” to Police Minister Professor Firoz Cachalia on Wednesday.
Gayton McKenzie, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, makes bold claims about the investigation into Joshlin Smith's disappearance, igniting controversy.
Image: SUPPLIED
He accused Allen of messing up the investigation after Ayanda was brought to SAPS by his team and that he firmly believed that Joshlin was alive.
“I reject these allegations from Gayton McKenzie with the contempt that they deserve,” said Allen when approached by the Cape Argus. “The investigation was led by the SAPS, not by politicians looking for a headline. Exploiting a child’s tragedy for political grandstanding is shameful.”
Cape Argus has since reached out to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for their response to the allegations.
McKenzie also announced that he would be stepping back from the foundation due to ministerial duties.
Joshlin's mother Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn, were all sentenced to life plus 10 years for trafficking and kidnapping in May 2025.
Joshlin went missing in Middlepos in Saldanha in February 2024.
Despite stepping back, McKenzie promised to support Joshlin's siblings, including paying for their upkeep, school fees, and a trip to Disneyland in Hong Kong within two weeks.
Joshlin Smith was last seen on 19 February 2024 at her home in Middelpos, Diazville.
Image: Supplied
He also announced a multi-million rand sports centre opening at Joshlin’s school next week. He claimed his private investigator allegedly raided Ayanda’s home 20 days ago and that “Renz” was willing to speak: “The last time I paid the PI, it was twenty days ago when they raided the house of Ayanda. Ayanda beat up his child he has with Renz.
Renz then said, ‘I am going to tell the truth about where Joshlin is; that is why I still believe Joshlin is still alive.’ "There are statements… Wednesday I am going straight to the Minister of Police to say here is the evidence; I am no longer going to the cops; he is an honest man, but what he is going to do I do not know; Renz is willing to speak.”
McKenzie said he never politicised Joshlin’s case.