Joshlin Smith: NPA says Lourencia Lombaard should be indemnified from prosecution

CAPE TOWN - The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said former accused-turned-State witness in the Joshlin Smith trial, Lourencia Lombaard, should be indemnified from prosecution.

Lombaard will hear whether she faces jail time for her role in Joshlin's disappearance in August.

Her testimony proved pivotal to the conviction and sentencing of Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn.

ALSO READ: Court sets aside August dates to hear applications for leave to appeal convictions, sentences of Smith, Appollis & Van Rhyn

Lombaard told the court that she witnessed Smith sell six-year-old Joshlin to a sangoma for R20,000 in February 2024.

She was later arrested along with Smith, Jacquen Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn for her role in Joshlin's disappearance.

Lombaard admitted that she agreed to accept money from Smith to keep quiet about the sale of the child.

She later turned State witness and testified against Smith, Appollis and Van Rhyn.

NPA spokesperson Eric Ntabazalila said that the State would argue in Lombaard's favour.

"We believe and we will argue that the court should indemnify her from prosecution."

The matter is set to be heard in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on 13 August.