Joshlin Smith case: Some Middlepos residents unhappy State witness walked free

SALDANHA BAY - Some Middelpos residents believe justice has not been fully served in the Joshlin Smith kidnapping and human trafficking case after State witness Lourentia Lombaard walked free.

On Wednesday, Judge Nathan Erasmus granted her full immunity from prosecution.

Lombaard testified against her three co-accused, who were convicted of kidnapping and trafficking the six-year-old.

Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appolis and Steveno van Ryhn’s application for leave to appeal their convictions and sentences was dismissed by the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday.

Natasha Maarman’s home overlooks the empty spot where Kelly’s shack once stood before being set alight on the day of sentencing.

Maarman said Lombaard, better known as Renz’s, honesty came a little too late, and the courts are setting a bad precedent for others who may commit similar crimes.

“Yes, she turned 20,4, but still it’s very upsetting because at the end of the day tomorrow, I can also turn out to be a 204 and also walk free. Renz should’ve got at least 10 years, even though she was a 204; the deal they made with her was a [bad] deal.

While Lombaard left court a free woman, her three co-accused are now looking to take their fight to overturn their convictions to the country’s higher courts after the dismissal of their appeals. 

COMMUNITY VOWS TO REJECT LOMBAARD 

The corner of Petrus Stevens' house is now deemed a hotspot after being the meeting point for communal search parties, meetings and prayer services when Joshlin went missing.

Stevens said Lombaard should be behind bars. 

“Still now, at this moment, we don’t have a Joshlin, but she’s free - which is wrong. I don’t think he took our community into consideration because Renz knew everything from day one.”

Residents said the community would reject Lombaard should she leave the witness protection programme and return to Saldanha Bay.