Former accused turned state witness denied involvement in alleged plot to sell Joshlin Smith

Carlo Petersen
24 March 2025 | 12:15Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and his friend Stevano van Rhyn, are on trial for the child's disappearance.
CAPE TOWN - An accused in the Joshlin Smith trial has denied being part of an alleged plan to sell the little girl to a sangoma.
Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen Appollis and his friend Stevano van Rhyn, are on trial for the child's disappearance.
The accused are charged with kidnapping and human trafficking in the Western Cape High Court, sitting in the Saldanha Bay multi-purpose centre.
On Monday, defence attorney Fanie Harmse, who represents Appollis wrapped up his cross-examination of former accused turned state witness Lourentia Lombaard.
Harmse questioned Lombaard about her version of events on the day Joshlin Smith went missing.
Lombaard testified she witnessed [Kelly] Smith pack Joshlin's clothes into a black cooler bag that morning.
Lombaard said before Smith left for work, she told Appollis he must get Joshlin ready.
READ: 'Where am I going mommy?' Court hears testimony about Joshlin Smith's alleged last words
Harmse told the court his client denies being part of Smith’s alleged plan to sell Joshlin.
He said Appollis also denies seeing Smith pack a bag for Joshlin, and he did not hear Smith ask him to get the child ready.
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