Chilling Details Emerge As The Joshlin Smith Case Continues

Laurentia Lombaard returned to the witness stand in the Western Cape High Court sitting in Saldanha, continuing her testimony that has gripped the courtroom and the community.

Technical difficulties delayed the proceedings briefly, but once resolved, Lombaard resumed detailing what she knew about the events surrounding the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith .

Joshlin vanished on 19 February 2024, from her home in Middelpos, and more than a year later, there has been no trace of the green-eyed child. On trial for kidnapping and human trafficking are Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis, Steveno van Rhyn, and Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith - all of whom have pleaded not guilty.

Lombaard testified about the day Joshlin went missing, stating that when police arrived at her home, her boyfriend, Ayanda, confronted Boeta and Kelly, questioning why they had brought law enforcement there. She hadn't seen them since - except for an encounter with Kelly the following Friday.

According to Lombaard, she spotted Kelly walking near her home and called out to her, but Kelly warned her not to say her name too loudly, knowing people were looking for her. Kelly was with Boeta and two others as they headed to her home. Once inside, Kelly searched for her son's school clothes, her bank card, and her ID, but she never mentioned Joshlin.