Joshlin Smith Trial: Will Key Witness Laurentia Lombaard Walk Free?

The Case That Shook Saldanha

The disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith in February 2024 has haunted South Africa for over a year. Her green eyes and shy smile became the face of a desperate search, her story gripping the nation from fishing towns on the West Coast to the corridors of Parliament.

Now, another chapter in this painful saga is about to unfold. This week, the Western Cape High Court will decide whether key state witness Laurentia Lombaard, once an accused in the case, will walk away free under Section 204 indemnity, or face justice herself.

From Accused to State Witness

Lombaard was arrested alongside Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, in the early days of the investigation. But instead of standing trial, she took the stand as a state witness, offering testimony that prosecutors say was critical in convicting Kelly, her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn.

The trio is now serving life sentences plus ten years for human trafficking and kidnapping, but they have signalled their intention to appeal.

Testimony That Broke the Case

Lombaard’s time in the witness box was explosive. She told the court Joshlin had been sold for R20,000, a revelation that stunned both the courtroom and the public following the trial.

Her account painted a disturbing picture of drug abuse, violence, and cold-blooded planning. She described how Kelly allegedly met a woman, possibly a sangoma, in a white VW Polo, dressed in a green skirt, blouse, and doek, who handed her something that was hidden in the front of her pants.

According to Lombaard, Kelly later bragged that the woman had paid R20,000 for Joshlin. There was even a promise to split the money: R1,000 for Lombaard, R1,200 for van Rhyn, and the rest between Kelly and Boeta. Lombaard claims she never received her share.

Holes in the Story and the Question of Justice

While Lombaard’s evidence secured convictions, her own actions before and after Joshlin’s disappearance remain under scrutiny. Some parts of her testimony raised eyebrows, leaving the public divided.

On social media, some South Africans argue that without her cooperation, the truth might never have come to light. Others feel she was too involved in the events to be granted immunity, and that letting her walk free would send the wrong message.

What Happens Next

Judge Nathan Erasmus will hear arguments on Tuesday morning over whether Lombaard qualifies for indemnity under Section 204. This law allows witnesses to avoid prosecution if their testimony is essential to the State’s case and given honestly, a decision that lies solely in the judge’s hands.

Meanwhile, the search for Joshlin is still active. Police continue to appeal to the public for information, keeping hope alive in Saldanha Bay and beyond.

For a community desperate for closure, the court’s decision on Lombaard will not only shape the legal outcome of this case, but also speak to a larger question: what does justice look like when the victim is still missing?

Timeline: The Disappearance and Trial of Joshlin Smith

February 18, 2024

• Witnesses, including Laurentia Lombaard, claim to have seen Kelly Smith meet a woman believed to be a sangoma in a white VW Polo in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay.

• Lombaard says Kelly was given cash, later revealing it was R20,000 for Joshlin.

February 19, 2024

• Six-year-old Joshlin Smith disappears.

• Lombaard testifies she saw Joshlin being loaded into the same white VW Polo.

Late February 2024

• Police arrest Kelly Smith (Joshlin’s mother), her boyfriend Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn, and Laurentia Lombaard.

• Charges include kidnapping and human trafficking.

March 2024

• Lombaard turns state witness under Section 204, providing testimony in exchange for possible immunity.

April – May 2024

• Trial begins in the Western Cape High Court.

• Lombaard’s testimony reveals shocking details of the alleged sale of Joshlin for R20,000, as well as heavy drug use by the accused.

May 29, 2024

• Kelly, Boeta, and van Rhyn are convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment plus 10 years for trafficking in persons and kidnapping.

• Lombaard’s fate is left undecided pending further court hearings.

August 2025

• The trio files notice to appeal their sentences.

This Week – August 2025

• Judge Nathan Erasmus will hear arguments on whether Lombaard should be granted full indemnity for her role, or face prosecution.

• The search for Joshlin continues, with police appealing for any new leads.

{Source: IOL}

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