Gayton McKenzie’s Comments on Joslin Smith’s Mother Resurface, Sparking Debate
JOHANNESBURG – Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie, who also leads the Patriotic Alliance, has reaffirmed his belief that Kelly Smith—currently on trial for her daughter Joslin Smith’s disappearance—is guilty. A resurfaced video of McKenzie discussing Kelly’s behavior has reignited public debate.

What Did Gayton McKenzie Say About Kelly Smith?
In a TikTok video posted by @justice_forthe_voiceless, McKenzie is seen speaking on the Wide Awake Podcast about his unsettling encounter with Kelly following Joslin’s disappearance in February 2024. At the time, McKenzie was not yet a minister but was actively involved in the search for Joslin.
He recalled that Kelly’s demeanor deeply disturbed him. Instead of showing distress, she appeared jolly and was laughing, behaving as though Joslin was already gone. McKenzie also alleged that Kelly asked his team to stop searching for Joslin and accept her fate—a statement that raised his suspicions.

One of the most chilling claims McKenzie made was about an encounter with Jacquin Appollis, one of the suspects in the case. According to McKenzie, his bodyguard overheard Kelly coaching Appollis, instructing him to shed a tear for the camera before an interview.
In previous social media statements, McKenzie has also accused Kelly of being a liar, claiming that she cared more about her boyfriend than her missing child.
South Africans React to McKenzie’s Comments
Many South Africans believe that McKenzie played a crucial role in keeping the case in the public eye. Social media users praised him for his persistence, sharing their thoughts in the comment section:
@justice_forthe_voiceless #SAMA28 #southafrica #tiktoksouthafrica #fyp #southafricatiktok #foryou #foryoupage #missing #missingchildren #joslin #joslinsmith #joslinupdate #kellysmith #kelly #gayton #gaytonmckenzie #capetown #westerncape #foryoupage ♬ original sound – ♡ Say my name ♡💋
Leigh: “If it was not for you, Mr. Gayton, everyone would have forgotten about Joslin.”
Skye: “If it wasn’t for Mr. Gayton McKenzie, Joslin would have been another case gone cold.”
Mehlomakhuluhazel: “Gayton blew this case open. It would have gone cold like the rest.”
Cheryl: “I still remember the Spur interview and all she said. Also, the dancing that Sunday.”
Crystal Govender: “I hope the state calls Mr. McKenzie to testify in this case.”
Kelly Smith Breaks Down in Court
In a related development, Briefly News previously reported that Kelly broke down in tears during a court hearing. Her former boss took the stand and testified that Kelly had a good relationship with her children and was a loving mother. This emotional testimony brought Kelly to tears, leading to an adjournment of the session.
Source: Briefly News