Saldanha – The Western Cape High Court, sitting in Saldanha, has heard chilling testimony regarding the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith, with allegations that the young girl was sold to a traditional healer, known as a "sangoma", for R20,000, and that her eyes and skin were specifically sought after.
Laurentia Lombaard, a former accused turned state witness, has been giving evidence for the past three days, and her testimony has gripped the court and the broader community. Lombaard's evidence has implicated Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, along with Jacquen 'Boeta' Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, who are all on trial, facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. The trio have pleaded not guilty.
Joshlin went missing on February 19, 2024, from her home in Middelpos. Despite extensive searches, there has been no sighting of the green-eyed girl in over a year.
Lombaard's testimony has been central to the prosecution's case. She told the court that she witnessed Smith take Joshlin to meet an unknown woman the day before the little girl disappeared. Earlier that day, Lombaard stated she overheard Smith telling Appollis that someone wanted to buy Joshlin.
On February 23, four days after Joshlin went missing, Lombaard said she met with Kelly at her shack in Middelpos. Lombaard said she asked Kelly for her share of the money to keep quiet, after Kelly admitted she sold Joshlin to a sangoma for R20,000.
She further told the court that Smith told her that she too was being paid to keep quiet about selling her daughter.
“She said the person who was looking for Joshlin was looking for her because they wanted her [Joshlin’s] eyes and skin,” Lombaard told the court.
Lombaard also recounted an incident on the Monday when Joshlin disappeared, when police arrived at her home. She was asked if there was any altercation between her boyfriend, Ayanda, and Boeta. Lombaard testified that yes, her boyfriend had asked why they (Kelly and Boeta) would bring the police to the house.
She also told the court she had not seen Kelly or Boeta since that incident. However, Lombaard said she saw Kelly the Friday following Joshlin’s disappearance. She saw Kelly walking near her house and called her.
She told Lombaard not to call her name too loudly as she knew people were looking for her.
“I went out and went towards her (Kelly). It was Kelly, Boeta, a lady and man, on their way to Kelly’s home. As Kelly entered the home, she asked me to come inside. I asked what she was looking for, she was looking for her son’s school clothes, bank card and ID,” Lombaard said.
She further testified that Kelly never mentioned Joshlin, she only mentioned her two other children and the documentation she needed to collect. The court heard during this time it was only Kelly and Lombaard in the home at the time.
Kelly allegedly said: “Renz, I know what I did to Joshlin. There was someone that paid me to keep quiet”.
Lombaard stated she asked who was paying her to keep quiet, but Kelly never mentioned the name.
It was also the last time she saw Kelly on that day.
Lombaard said that when she initially gave a statement to the police, she only told them about the Monday when Joshlin disappeared. She claims she did not tell them everything as she was scared at the time. While she does admit to withholding the truth from police, Lombaard is adamant she is now telling the court everything and “not withholding anything”.
Proceedings got off to a rocky start as technical difficulties were experienced, but the situation was resolved within minutes. Lombaard has been on the stand since Thursday and her testimony has gripped the court.
The trial continues.
