Day 9 of the Joshlin Smith trial delivered what could be the most pivotal testimony yet, as the State played its strongest hand: the long-awaited testimony of Lourentia Lombaard.
Joshlin Smith trial today: Here’s a breakdown of what happened
But before the State’s trump card took the stand, three other witnesses bolstered the prosecution’s case, reinforcing claims that Kelly Smith may have known, months in advance, that a major event would grip Saldanha Bay.
These witnesses—Steven “Nico” Coetzee, Thersia Kruger, and veteran prosecutor Louis Jacques van Zyl—each contributed to a growing picture of forewarning and alleged premeditation.
Coetzee, in his continued testimony, stood firm on his claim that in August 2023, Smith had spoken cryptically about an impending event that would shake the town “like a movie.”
She had allegedly been waiting on a group of foreigners who were supposed to deliver R20,000 but was so desperate she would settle for R5,000.
Thersia Kruger, a former employer of Coetzee, testified next. She confirmed that Coetzee had told her about Smith’s statements at the time, and under cross-examination, she vouched for his integrity. Kruger also revealed that she had explicitly instructed Coetzee to relay the information to another key witness, Louis Jacques van Zyl.
Van Zyl, a prosecutor with extensive legal experience, further solidified Coetzee’s credibility, stating that law enforcement had already been following leads that hinted at possible premeditation in Joshlin’s disappearance.
His testimony framed Coetzee’s claims within a broader legal context, suggesting that Smith’s alleged statements in August 2023 were not isolated but potentially linked to early investigative findings.
State plays Its trump card: Lourentia Lombaard finally takes the stand
With the stage set and the prosecution’s case gaining momentum, the moment the courtroom had been waiting for arrived—Lourentia Lombaard took the stand.
Once an accused in the case, Lombaard turned State witness under a Section 204 agreement, which grants immunity from prosecution in exchange for full and truthful testimony.
Her role in the case has been a point of speculation, and as she took her seat, all eyes were on her.
Lombaard’s testimony was expected to provide an insider’s account of the events leading up to and following Joshlin’s disappearance.
She began by detailing her background and setting the scene for what unfolded before 19 February 2024. But just as she was beginning to build her narrative, the judge abruptly adjourned proceedings.
The decision was not made lightly. The judge made it clear that Lombaard’s testimony was too crucial to rush and that the State needed to ensure a meticulous presentation of the evidence.
Prosecutors were granted additional time to refine their approach, ensuring that no critical detail was missed and that Lombaard’s testimony would be delivered in its full weight when court resumes.
The trial is now poised for a potentially game-changing moment.
What Lombaard reveals next could reshape the case entirely, and with her testimony looming, anticipation has reached its peak.
