Joshlin Smith: Former accused-turned-State witness Lourencia Lombaard returns to WC High Court

CAPE TOWN - Former accused-turned-State witness in the Joshlin Smith trial, Lourencia Lombaard, has returned to the Western Cape High Court on Tuesday.

The court has heard arguments as to why Lombaard should be granted indemnity. 

Joshlin was six years old when she disappeared from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay in February 2024.

At the end of May, the missing child's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn were handed life sentences for human trafficking and ten years for kidnapping.

Lourencia Lombaard may only hear on Wednesday whether she’ll be granted indemnity from prosecution.

During the argument in her favour, the court heard she had testified, frankly and honestly, as a State witness.

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Huge personal sacrifices were also highlighted, as she and her children were uprooted from their lives and community to be placed under witness protection.

Lombaard’s testimony proved pivotal in the conviction and sentencing of Kelly, Appollis and van Rhyn.

She told the court she witnessed Smith sell her daughter to a sangoma for R20,000 in February 2024.

The court is also hearing applications for leave to appeal the convictions and sentences handed down in May, but the convicted traffickers are not present in court.