Day 16 of the Joshlin Smith kidnapping trial saw a tense and dramatic courtroom session as State witness Lourentia Lombaard was once again cross-examined, this time by Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, the legal representative for the accused Steveno van Rhyn, and Kelly Smith’s lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain.
Joshlin Smith trial today: Here’s a breakdown of what happened
Lombaard has implicated Joshlin’s mother, Kelly Smith, along with Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn, in the alleged sale of the six-year-old to a sangoma.
However, under intense questioning, she appeared to contradict some of her previous statements.
Contradictions in testimony
During cross-examination, Mkabayi pressed Lombaard about her claim that she saw Kelly taking Joshlin to a white Polo on Sunday, 18 February 2024, the day before the child was reported missing.
Lombaard initially insisted that Steveno was present both times she was at Kelly’s house that day. However, after a series of challenging questions, she changed her statement, saying Steveno was not there when Kelly left with Joshlin.
Mkabayi argued that if Steveno had not witnessed anything, it made no sense for him to have allegedly received payment for Joshlin’s disappearance.
She asked:
“Why would my client be paid when he didn’t witness anything? Why would he be paid more than you?”
Lombaard admitted she did not know the answer.
The defence also questioned Lombaard’s ability to see specific details of a woman near Ayanda’s carwash from a distance of over 90 meters.
Mkabayi challenged her, asking, “Were you wearing binoculars?”
Lombaard insisted that she could see distinctive white dots on the woman’s outfit, despite the distance.
The State intervened, asking for the court to be shown the exact location Lombaard claimed she was standing when she saw Kelly.
After reviewing photo evidence from the site visit, Lombaard pointed out her position, which was not where the court initially believed she was standing.
The judge, appearing agitated by the process, instructed that proceedings continue.
Tension escalates in the courtroom
As cross-examination continued, tensions flared:
The defence accused Lombaard of lying, suggesting she implicated Steveno because she did not like him.
Lombaard initially agreed, but after a judicial intervention, she clarified that her accusations were based on what she saw, not personal feelings.
The defence further argued that Lombaard may have framed Steveno because he had earlier accused Ayanda of kidnapping Joshlin and selling her.
Lombaard denied this, insisting that Steveno was involved in the sale because he was present when Kelly took Joshlin to the Polo.
A heated moment erupted when Mkabayi attempted to rephrase Lombaard’s testimony, suggesting that multiple people, including Kelly, Jacquen, Racquen (Kelly’s eldest child), and Steveno, were aware of the sale.
The judge overruled the question, reprimanding Mkabayi.
The session became even more chaotic when the judge clashed with the interpreter over a misinterpretation of Lombaard’s words.
A five-minute adjournment was called to allow tensions to cool down.
Witness falls ill again
Before the session ended, Kelly Smith’s lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, began cross-examining Lombaard, questioning her about her past friendship with Kelly.
Lombaard admitted that she and Kelly used drugs together and that she visited Kelly’s shack daily.
She also revealed that Kelly suspected her of having an affair with Jacquen Appollis, leading to frequent hostility between them.
However, before Sivnarain could question her about the statement she gave police after her arrest in March 2024, Lombaard suddenly reported feeling unwell, saying her head was spinning.
Judge Nathan Erasmus adjourned the session, noting that this was the fourth time Lombaard had fallen ill when faced with key cross-examination moments.
Court proceedings are expected to resume with continued cross-examinations.
