The Joshlin Smith trial continues today, with State witness Lourentia Lombaard set to face further cross-examination after enduring a gruelling fifth day on the stand.
What to expect from the Joshlin Smith trial on Day 16
On Day 15, both Jacquen Appollis’s lawyer, Advocate Fannie Harmse, and Steveno van Rhyn’s lawyer, Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, interrogated Lombaard on contradictions between her March 2024 confession and her October 2024 Section 204 statement, in which she implicated herself and others in an alleged plan to sell Joshlin for R20,000 to a sangoma.
As proceedings resume, Mkabayi is expected to continue questioning Lombaard, with a focus on “instructions”—a legal process where the witness is directly presented with the accused’s version of events.
Readers can follow the live trial coverage today as the courtroom battle intensifies.
Recap of Day 15: Key testimonies and new revelations
Judge Erasmus Limits Repetitive Questioning
The day began with Advocate Fannie Harmse continuing his cross-examination of Lombaard, attempting to discredit her timeline of events from Sunday, 18 February, and Monday, 19 February 2024.
Harmse focused on the differences between her March and October statements, specifically the timeline of when Joshlin was last seen and the alleged conversation about dividing the R20,000 payment among the accused.
However, as the questioning became repetitive, Judge Nathan Erasmus intervened multiple times, instructing the defence to focus on new facts rather than revisiting already established details about:
- The white Polo sightings.
- The argument between Kelly and Jacquen on 18 February.
- The time Joshlin was last seen playing outside.
Harmse introduced a statement from a child witness, Athandiwe Nqobi, who claimed to have seen Joshlin playing outside at the time Lombaard said she was taken. However, the child’s time estimate was deemed speculative and struck from the record.
By the end of his cross-examination, Harmse failed to conclusively undermine the core of Lombaard’s testimony regarding Jacquen’s alleged involvement.
Advocate Mkabayi Shifts Focus to Lombaard’s Background
The court then turned its attention to Steveno van Rhyn’s lawyer, Advocate Nobahle Mkabayi, who began a different line of questioning.
Instead of immediately challenging Lombaard’s timeline, Mkabayi focused on her background, including:
- Her history of drug use.
- Her relationship with her boyfriend, Ayanda.
- How and when she first met Steveno van Rhyn.
Tension escalated when Mkabayi pointed out contradictions in Lombaard’s statements regarding when she first met Steveno. Initially, she claimed it was July 2023, but later changed her answer to February 2023.
Lombaard Breaks Down Recounting an Alleged Abduction
An emotional high point came when Lombaard broke down on the stand, recalling an incident in which she and Ayanda were allegedly abducted by a vigilante group.
She testified that they were taken to Langebaan, where she was assaulted and threatened with death if she did not reveal what happened to Joshlin.
Following this testimony, the court adjourned briefly to allow Lombaard to compose herself.
Mkabayi Resumes Cross-Examination on Timeline Inconsistencies
When proceedings resumed, Mkabayi continued to press Lombaard on her version of events from Sunday, 18 February 2024.
- She questioned whether Lombaard first went to Kelly’s house to ask for food, or if she had already received money from Ayanda’s associate earlier in the day.
- Mkabayi accused Lombaard of lying, but Lombaard remained firm in her statement that she asked Kelly for food in the morning and only received money later.
As the session drew to a close, Mkabayi requested an adjournment, announcing that she would continue questioning today with “instructions”—where Lombaard will be presented with the accused’s version of events.
What’s next in the Joshlin Smith trial?
Mkabayi is expected to continue cross-examining Lombaard today, focusing on her recollection of events and her knowledge of Steveno van Rhyn’s involvement.
The defence will formally present its version of events, directly challenging Lombaard’s testimony.
The State is preparing to call its next witness—possibly Colonel Morris, who may provide investigative details related to Joshlin’s disappearance.
With Lombaard’s credibility still in question, the upcoming sessions could play a pivotal role in shaping how the court interprets her testimony.