Lourentia Lombaard testified about the final moments of Joshlin Smith, revealing key details about the day she vanished. The trial continues.
Testimony Reveals Final Moments of Missing Joshlin Smith.
A state witness has provided a detailed account of the final hours before six-year-old Joshlin Smith disappeared more than a year ago.
Testifying in the Western Cape High Court, Lourentia Lombaard recalled the last time she saw Joshlin, who vanished on Feb. 19, 2024. Lombaard, a former accused in the case, described how Joshlin’s mother, Racquel “Kelly” Smith, left in a white Volkswagen Polo with her daughter around 2 p.m. that day.
According to Lombaard, Joshlin had been in the care of Kelly’s boyfriend, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, that morning. Their friend, Steveno “Steffie” van Rhyn, was also present. Lombaard testified that Kelly instructed Boeta to have Joshlin ready by the time she returned home later that afternoon.
“After learning that Kelly had sold Joshlin for R20,000, I went to her home that morning to see if the plan was still on,” Lombaard said. “I asked why the children weren’t in school, and she told me to ask them myself, saying I shouldn’t ask her anything.”
Lombaard claimed Kelly made it clear that Joshlin was to be handed over that afternoon.
“She told Boeta at 2 p.m. to get Joshlin ready because the people would be coming to fetch her,” Lombaard said. “She mentioned packing something for Joshlin and reminded Boeta not to forget, saying she would be back for her daughter.”
Before leaving, Lombaard said Kelly had money in hand and asked her to buy a packet of tik, a highly addictive drug. Lombaard refused.
Later that day, Kelly returned from work. However, Lombaard testified that there were people in Kelly’s shack, and she had to find another way to remove Joshlin.
“Around 2 p.m., I saw Kelly coming from work,” Lombaard said. “Later, I saw her walking with Joshlin, carrying a cooler bag with the child’s clothes inside. They got into a car and drove away. That was the last time I saw Joshlin.”
The trial continues.
