State witness in Joshlin Smit trial asked: ‘When did you finally tell the truth?’

THE lawyer representing Racquel “Kelly” Smith, the mother of missing Joshlin Smith, continued the cross examination of Lourentia Lombard, emphasising that she had multiple opportunities to go to the police but failed to do so.

- MANDILAKHE TSHWETE [e-mail]

Smith’s co-accused Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and their friend Steveno “Ste-vie” van Rhyn are facing kidnapping and human trafficking charges before the Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha.

They were arrested weeks after Joshlin disappeared from their Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay on February 19, 2024.

Lombard, in prior testimony, denied earlier statements claiming that she told police she had sold Joshlin to a sangoma for R30 000 and had promised her R1 000 to stay quiet about it. She is facing charges with Smith, Appollis, Vanrhyn, Anestine Smith, and Lorenda Truter.