The state witness in the Joslin Smith trial – Laurentia Lombaard – has admitted to lying to police in a statement after her arrest. This comes a day after her emotional breakdown during her cross-examination in court after being painted as an “unreliable drug addict.”
The woman – a former accused who is now a State 204 witness – has stated under oath that Joslin’s mother, Kelly Smith, allegedly sold her to a sangoma for R20 000.
Kelly, her boyfriend, Jacquin “Boeta” Appollis, and pal Steveno van Rhyn are all on trial over charges of child trafficking for the purposes of exploitation. They have pled not guilty. Joslin went missing on 19 February 2024 from her Middelpos home in Diazville.
The trial is taking place under the High Court, sitting at the Saldanha Bay Centre.
STATE WITNESS ADMITS TO LYING
On the third day of her cross-examination by one of the accused’s defense on Thursday, 20 March, Lourentia Lombaard admitted to lying to police in a recorded statement after Joslin Smith’s disappearance. Her version of events from her March 2024 statement differs from her confession to police in October, when she agreed to turn state witness.
Lombaard – a self-confessed drug addict – was also accused of being high whilst making her initial statement. She said in court: “I just spoke. I didn’t know if I could tell people what happened”.
Images via screenshot: SABC News.
According to Judge Nathan Erasmus, Lombaard also voiced her hope that authorities would “grant me free bail so I can go home and come to court from home.”
Lombaard was also accused of making several discrepancies between her statement and confession, including when Kelly Smith revealed plans to sell Joslin to a sangoma, the whereabouts of her children on the day Joslin went missing, and claims that Boeta accompanied Kelly and her child to await the arrival of the sangoma.
The Saldanha Bay woman also claims that Kelly offered to pay her R1000 in hush money.
However, she claims she never asked her about it, differing from allegations she confronted her nieghbour about the money several days later.
Lombaard answered that she was “confused,” “made a mistake,” and “lied.”
EMOTIONAL OUTBURST IN COURT
Attempts to discredit Laurentia Lombaard comes amid her emotional breakdown in court on Wednesday. During her cross-examination, Lombaard fell ill twice whilst on the stand. She cried uncontrollably and was unable to speak.
Images via YouTube screenshot: SABC.
As a Section 204 witness under the Criminal Procedure Act, Lombaard may be given indemnity if the judge finds she has testified truthfully. If not, she could face charges of perjury as well as related charges to the trial.
DO YOU THINK THE JOSLIN SMITH STATE WITNESS IS TELLING THE TRUTH?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1.
Subscribe to The South African website’s newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
