Cape Town — The Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court has heard that the fourth suspect accused in the case of missing six-year-old Joshlin Smith, Lourencia Lombaard, made a confession to the police.
Lombaard made her first appearance in the court yesterday following her arrest on Friday, and was charged with human trafficking and kidnapping, the same charges faced by the other three suspect currently in custody.
“Lourentia Lombaard appeared at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court. The 32-year-old woman is charged with trafficking in persons for the purpose of exploitation and kidnapping.” National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila, said
According to IOL, the state said Lombaard made a confession to the police, but no details were given. Saldanha Bay residents said on Monday that they accepted Lombaard’s confession, but wanted to know where the 6-year-old was. Lombaard is known to Joshlin’s mother, Kelly.
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Commenting on Lombaard’s arrest, spokesperson Malcolm Pojie said the police were still investigating and following up on possible leads, Mail and Guardian reported.
“Be advised that it is normal practice that during such intricate investigations, people of interest will be taken in for questioning or will be interviewed with the aim of solving such a case,” Pojie added.
Western Cape MEC for Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, welcomed Lombaard’s arrest and said speculation surrounding Joshlin’s disappearance must come to an end and he remains hopeful that she will be found, EWN said.
“Our stance is clear that interference and blocking the investigation, and forms of intimidation or the politicisation of this matter will not be tolerated – our sole focus should be to find Joshlin Smith.”
“”I encourage anyone with information to make it available to the South African Police Service [SAPS], so that all leads are followed up. We have to find Joshlin unharmed.” he said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
