Joshlin Smith trial watch: What to expect on Day 11, how to watch live in South Africa [video]

On Day 11, the Joshlin Smit trial is set to resume with Lombaard expected to complete her testimony.

The Joshlin Smith trial continues today, with former accused Lourentia Lombaard set to resume her testimony following shocking claims made in court. 

What to expect from the Joshlin Smith trial on Day 11

On Day 10, Lombaard provided what may be the most explosive evidence yet, alleging that Kelly Smith planned to sell Joshlin and even confessed to doing so.

Her testimony painted a chilling picture of the hours leading up to Joshlin’s disappearance on 19 February 2024, including details of a meeting with a mysterious woman in a white Volkswagen Polo, an alleged R20,000 exchange, and Kelly’s final words before she and Joshlin got into the car and drove away.

As proceedings resume today, the court will focus on clarifying discrepancies in Lombaard’s timeline before allowing her to continue her testimony.

Readers can follow today’s proceedings live via our streaming link as new developments emerge.

Recap of Day 10: Key testimonies and new revelations

Lourentia Lombaard Details a Shocking Alleged Plan

Lombaard, who turned State witness under a Section 204 agreement, testified that she and Kelly Smith were frequent drug users, often smoking tik together.

However, she claimed that on Sunday, 18 February 2024, she overheard a conversation that suggested Kelly had made arrangements to sell Joshlin.

She alleged that Kelly told Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis:

“There is a plan to sell Joshlin to a black woman.”

Lombaard described chaos in Kelly’s home that day, including a violent argument between Kelly and Jacquen, during which Kelly allegedly smashed a window and threatened him with a knife. She also recalled Kelly ordering her eldest son, Racquen, to start a fire, though she never cooked anything and instead left, possibly to buy drugs.

Later, Lombaard said she returned and overheard a conversation through the broken window. Kelly reportedly told Jacquen that there was something important to discuss about Joshlin, but he brushed her off. She then allegedly made a cryptic statement:

“Okay then, if you won’t listen to me, I will follow my own head.”

Meeting with a Mysterious Woman in a White Polo

Lombaard testified that she followed Kelly and Joshlin toward a canal later that day. She then saw a white Volkswagen Polo pull up, and a black woman stepped out to speak with Kelly.

Though she couldn’t hear what was being said, Lombaard witnessed Kelly receiving something from the woman, which she quickly hid in her crotch before looking around nervously. The woman then got back into the car and drove off.

When Kelly and Joshlin returned home, Lombaard said she overheard a conversation between Kelly and Jacquen about money:

“Here is the money we got from the sangoma.”

Jacquen allegedly asked how much, and Kelly replied:

“R20,000.”

Kelly’s Alleged Admission: “I Just Sold My Child”

At this point, Lombaard said she directly confronted Kelly about what was going on. Kelly’s alleged response was:

“Rents, I did something shit now.”

When pressed further, Kelly reportedly confessed:

“I just sold my child to a sangoma.”

Lombaard claimed she tried to reason with Kelly, telling her there were other ways to deal with financial problems. But Kelly allegedly dismissed her concern, saying:

“What’s done is done. There is nothing we can do about that.”

Kelly then allegedly split the money among the group, giving:

  • R1,000 to Lombaard (which she said she refused);
  • R1,200 to Steveno van Rhyn; and
  • keeping the rest for herself and Jacquen.

The Final Hours Before Joshlin’s Disappearance

On Monday, 19 February 2024, Lombaard returned to Kelly’s house and found Joshlin still at home with Kelly, Jacquen, Steveno, and Racquen. When she asked why the children weren’t at school, Kelly brushed her off.

Then, according to Lombaard, Kelly gave a chilling instruction:

“At 14:00, you must get Joshlin ready. That’s when I will come back because that’s when the people will come to fetch Joshlin.”

Lombaard also said she saw Kelly pack a small bag of clothes and underwear for Joshlin before leaving for work.

At 14:00, Lombaard saw Kelly returning and walking toward her house. She watched Kelly take Joshlin toward the canal again, where she met the same woman in the white Polo.

This time, Lombaard said she saw Kelly and Joshlin get into the car, with Kelly holding a black cooler bag. The car then drove off.

The Aftermath: No Mention of Joshlin

That evening, Lombaard saw Kelly return home from work, but she never once asked where Joshlin was. Instead, it was Jacquen who started asking questions, acting concerned about Joshlin’s whereabouts.

Kelly eventually arrived at Lombaard’s house with police, asking if she had seen Joshlin. Lombaard said she confronted Kelly directly, telling her:

“Because you know what you did to your child, why don’t you speak?”

She claimed that police overheard this statement, but she could not recall which officers were present.

Judge Intervenes, Proceedings Adjourned

As Lombaard’s testimony unfolded, the judge paused proceedings to clarify inconsistencies in her timeline. Given the gravity of her allegations, the court ruled that additional time was needed before continuing.

The trial is set to resume today, with Lombaard expected to complete her testimony.

We did a full breakdown of Trial Week 2, which you can watch below: