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Key witness, Laurentia Lombaard testifies in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping and human trafficking trial in the Western Cape High Court sitting Saldanha Bay on March 14, 2025
The key witness in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping and human trafficking trial under way in the Western Cape High Court sitting in Saldanha Bay is being cross-examined about the Monday morning the girl was taken to the car.
Lourentia Lombaard broke down in tears last Wednesday leading to an early court adjournment.
The following day she claimed the media attention had overwhelmed her.
Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are on trial in connection with the child’s disappearance.
Both defence attorney, Fanie Harmse and High Court Judge, Nathan Erasmus, have picked up on discrepancies in Lombaard’s 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.
Harmse: Remember there was two days one was the Sunday.
Lombaard: That’s correct.
Harmse: That culminated into these arguments.
Lombaard: That’s correct my Lord
Harmse: That is where the question arose whether you had the children with you or not
Lombaard: That is correct my Lord
Harmse: So, where we are this morning on this Monday morning today. We put the Sunday behind us. We dealing today with Monday morning the day that Joshlin’s was taken to the car at about lunch time by Kelly that you testified about. Now that Monday morning can you remember what time Ayanda (Litoli) left for the car wash
Lombaard: I’m not sure.
Harmse: Did you take food for him that Monday morning?
Lombaard: That’s correct.
Harmse: What time do you know that you took the food?
Lombaard: I’m not sure what time it was.
Harmse: After that episode on Sunday that you gave me evidence about, did you talk to Ayanda according to your evidence at Kelly and Boeta’s house on Sunday.
Lombaard: No
Harmse: Your evidence led that on Sunday there was a Polo opposite or near the car wash according to your confession evidence it was there twice.
The state’s attorney objected to Harmse’s questions about Sunday, stating that they dealt with it.
She says according to the confession the Polo was there and the first trip was taken by Kelly, Appollis and Joshlin, and the second trip it was only Kelly and Joshlin.
-Reporting by Lerato Dlalisa and Lebo Tshangela.
LIVE STREAM: Cross-examination of key witnesses continues in Joshlin Smith kidnap trial:
