The Joshlin Smith case, involving the disappearance of the six-year-old girl from Vredenburg, took a dramatic turn during the latest court appearance at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 21 October 2024.
Story Summary:
- The state withdrew all charges against Lourentia Lombard, leaving her a free woman while the remaining three accused were remanded for High Court proceedings.
- Joshlin’s mother, Racquel Smith, and her partner, Jacquin Appollis, displayed shock and disbelief as Lombard’s charges were dropped.
- With Lombard freed, questions linger about her involvement and what this means for the remaining suspects as they await trial.
Joshlin Smith latest news: Here’s what happened in court today
In a shocking development, the state withdrew all charges against Lourentia Lombard, leaving the courtroom stunned.
This announcement came as the prosecution faced a make-or-break moment, under pressure to finalise its investigation and issue a notice of transfer to the High Court.
The state confirmed that the case against the remaining suspects—Joshlin’s mother, Racquel Smith, her partner Jacquin Appollis, and co-accused Steveno van Rhyn—was ready for transfer to the High Court, with the pretrial conference set for 31 January 2025.
However, Lombard, previously facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking, walked free with no explanation from the prosecution.
Lourentia Lombard’s introduction to the case
Lombard was formally introduced as Accused 4 in the case back in March 2024.
Her arrest came as a surprise at the time, following the dropping of charges against the original fourth suspect, Phumza Siqaba, who had been linked to wild allegations of Joshlin being sacrificed in a muti ritual.
Lombard was then thrust into the spotlight, though her role in the disappearance of Joshlin remained unclear.
Police, citing the sensitivity of the ongoing investigation, were tight-lipped about the evidence that led to her arrest.
While Kelly Smith and her co-accused faced allegations of orchestrating Joshlin’s kidnapping for financial gain, Lombard’s involvement was murkier.
Known to be a Diazville local with roots in Wolseley, Lombard had seemingly lived an ordinary life before her arrest.
Her family background was reportedly stable, with those who knew her expressing shock at her connection to such a high-profile case.
But it was also suggested that Lombard may have fallen into the wrong circles, potentially explaining her arrest.
Despite her low public profile, Lombard’s inclusion in the case raised questions.
Why was she arrested if her involvement was so vague?
Had she been roped in through association, or did the police have concrete evidence linking her to Joshlin’s disappearance?
These questions remained unanswered even as Lombard faced the serious charges.
The emotional fallout from the announcement was immediate.
Kelly Smith, who has been in custody since March, broke down in tears as she was led out of the courtroom, visibly shaken by the revelation.
Her partner, Jacquin Appollis, also appeared shocked and dismayed.
Was their reaction one of disbelief at Lombard’s sudden freedom, or the realisation that they themselves would remain behind bars for the entirety of the festive season?
Lombard, in contrast, remained stoic, even as the charges were dropped and her fate took a sudden turn.
For Kelly and Jacquin, however, the future looks bleak.
The delay in their trial means they will remain in custody until 2025, a far cry from the freedom that Lombard now enjoys.
For a mother already grappling with the public and legal scrutiny surrounding her daughter’s disappearance, this development may have intensified feelings of betrayal—perhaps the realisation that Lombard, once an ally, had evaded justice.
With Lombard out of the picture, the state’s focus now rests squarely on Kelly Smith, Jacquin Appollis, and Steveno van Rhyn.
They are charged with orchestrating Joshlin’s kidnapping and are accused of human trafficking, raising the possibility that the young girl may have been taken for financial gain.
The state will need to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the remaining accused were involved in Joshlin’s disappearance, and Lombard’s sudden release could complicate that narrative.
With new forensic evidence expected to play a crucial role, the state will be under pressure to present a clear, compelling case when the matter goes to the High Court.
Six-year-old Joshlin Smith disappeared from her home in Vredenburg on 19 February 2024, sparking an international search effort that even involved Interpol.
Initial reports indicated that Joshlin had been playing outside before vanishing, prompting a frantic search.
Despite bloody clothes being found near Saldanha Bay, DNA tests confirmed that they were not linked to the missing girl.
As time passed, suspicions grew around Joshlin’s family, particularly her mother Kelly Smith, and her partner Jacquin Appollis. Both were arrested, along with Steveno van Rhyn and Lombard, and charged with kidnapping and human trafficking.