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The three accused in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial seen appearing before court.
The cross-examination of Lourentia Lombaard, the key state witness in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping and human trafficking trial, will continue at the Western Cape High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay on the Cape West Coast on Monday.
Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are on trial for the child’s disappearance.
Lombaard broke down in tears last Wednesday leading to an early court adjournment.
The following day she explained that all the media attention is overwhelming her.
Laurentia Lombaard tells the Saldanha Bay Circuit High Court that the person who wanted #JoshlinSmith was interested in her eyes and skin, according to her mother, Kelly Smith.
Last week, she testified that the 7yr old girl was allegedly sold to a sangoma for R20K.#sabcnews pic.twitter.com/56kg21KQJY
— Sphiwe Hobasi (@MrCow_man) March 17, 2025
Both defence attorney, Fanie Harmse, as well as High Court Judge, Nathan Erasmus, have picked up on discrepancies in her testimony and her original statement to the police.
Lombaard is however adamant that she is telling the truth about Appollis and Smith talking about selling Joshlin to a sangoma.
“It all deals mainly with you listening and hearing a conversation between Kelly and Boeta and whoever else you indicated was there. And my client says he wasn’t there. He was there, Mr Appollis also says that anytime after he woke up until he left around one o’clock. He didn’t see that Kelly hurt herself – yes, she did. Are you saying Mr Appollis is lying? – That’s correct, my lord.”
Joshlin Smith court trial | 20 March 2025:
