State witness and former accused Laurentia Lombaard has taken the stand. She was charged with Racquel 'Kelly' Smith, Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, and Steveno 'Steffie' van Rhyn. The charges were withdrawn as she turned State witness.
Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers
State witness Lourentia Lombaard has given a blow by blow account of the hours leading up to the day little Joshlin Smith vanished more than a year ago.
Lombaard was testifying at the Western Cape High Court about the last time she saw missing Joshlin Smith.
The former accused stated that Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith got into a white VW Polo with her six-year-old daughter on February 19, 2024 around 2pm.
On that Monday morning, Joshlin was in the care of her mom’s boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and the couple’s friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn was present.
Lombaard detailed how Kelly asked her boyfriend to get Joshlin ready by the time she returned home later that Monday afternoon.
“After learning that Kelly sold Joshlin for R20 000, I went to Kelly’s home on Monday morning to find out if the plan was working.
“I asked Kelly why the children didn’t go to school; she said ask them and I shouldn’t ask her shit.
“Kelly said to Boeta at 2pm he must get Joshlin ready. She would return home, and the people would come and fetch Joshlin.
“She said she would pack something for Joshlin, before she left she said, she told Boeta not to forget, she would come back for Joshlin.
“Before she left, she had money in her hand, and asked me to go and buy a packet of tik and I refused and then she went in the direction of work.”
Lombaard said hours later, Kelly returned from work, but in her shack, there were people and she had to make another plan to get Joshlin out.
“Around 2pm, I saw Kelly coming from work, and later, I saw Joshlin and Kelly walking with a cooler bag with the child’s clothes in Kelly’s hand.
“They climbed in a car and drove away, and that was the last time I saw Joshlin.”
The trial continues.