Cape Town – State witness Lourentia (Rens) Lombaard faced tough questioning in the Joshlin Smith trial on Tuesday regarding inconsistencies in her testimony.
Lombaard previously alleged that Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, sold her daughter to a sangoma for R20,000.
Defense lawyer Nobahle Mkabayi, representing co-accused Steveno van Rhyn, pointed out contradictions in Lombaard’s statements.
Watch the proceedings below (Courtesy of eNCA)
Lombaard initially claimed Van Rhyn was at the scene when Kelly left with Joshlin but later admitted she only saw him after Kelly returned with the money.
Mkabayi also challenged Lombaard’s claim that she saw a black woman with white facial markings exit a Polo car and hand Kelly something, questioning whether it was possible to see such details from 91.8 meters away.
Additionally, Mkabayi pressed Lombaard on the consequences of lying under oath, emphasising the seriousness of her sworn testimony.
Kelly Smith, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and Van Rhyn stand accused of kidnapping and human trafficking in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance from her Middelpos home on 19 February 2024.
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
