Joslin Smith Trial: Lourentia Lombaard Testifies Buyer Wanted Middlepos Child for Her Eyes and Skin
- Lourentia Lombaard testified that Kelly Smith confessed to her that the sangoma wanted Joslin for her eyes and skin
- Lombaard made the testimony during her third day in the witness box on 17 March 2025 at the Saldanha Day Multipurpose Centre
- Kelly also reportedly confessed to Lombaard that she was being paid to keep quiet about selling her daughter to a sangoma
Source: Twitter
Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has spent a decade reporting on the South African political landscape, crime and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online.
WESTERN CAPE – Lourentia Lombaard has dropped another bombshell in the trial into the disappearance of Joslin Smith.
Lombaard, who was one of the accused-turned-state witnesses, testified that the woman who allegedly bought the Middlepos child wanted Joslin for her eyes and skin.
Lombaard made the statement during her third day in the witness box on 17 March at the Saldanha Day Multipurpose Centre where the Western Cape High Court is holding the trial.
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Lombaard details Kelly’s confession to her
During her testimony, Lombaard testified that Kelly confessed to her that the woman who took Joslin wanted the child for her eyes and skin.
She previously stated that Smith sold her daughter to the woman, who was a sangoma, for R20,000. The conversation reportedly happened on 23 February 2024, four days after Joslin went missing.
Kelly also allegedly confessed that someone was paying her to keep quiet about selling her daughter. She never revealed who that person was.
You can watch Lombaard’s testimony below.
Lombaard to be cross-examined at a later stage
Following her testimony, Lombaard was excused and didn't undergo cross-examination as is the norm. Judge Erasmus explained that he met with the counsel for both sides in the morning and the state noted that they were calling two witnesses who could only avail themselves for a limited period.
As a result, Lombaard was allowed to stand down until the state's two witnesses had concluded. She will then undergo cross-examination by the defence.
Lourentia Lombaard: The ex-accused-cum-witness
Lombaard is a key witness in the case for, quite frankly, a few reasons.
And for the past three days, since 13 March, she has provided compelling evidence in the trial. Her role as a key witness has been described as crucial.
Role in the case:
A mother of four, she has testified that her former friend, Smith, confessed to selling Joslin to a sangoma (traditional healer), receiving R20,000.
Aside from her testimony about the alleged financial motivations, she provided explosive details about a sangoma, expanding on the muti theory which has emerged in the case, and their specific reasons for wanting Joslin.
Background as star witness:
Lombaard, also called by her nickname "Renz," moved from Wolseley, Western Cape to Saldanha Bay in 2017.
After falling into a drug habit, she became acquainted with Kelly and her boyfriend, Jacquin Appollis. She would visit their shack, and the trio would use drugs together.
During a part of her testimony, she recalled how they heavily used drugs leading up to and on the day of Joslin's disappearance.
Source: Getty Images
What you need to know about the Joslin Smith case
- CCTV footage sparks hope that Joslin Smith was alive but also sparks concerns over the claims.
- Kelly admitted to smoking drugs on the day Joslin Smith disappeared from Middelpos.
- Witness claims that Kelly Smith told him that people wanted to buy her children. She asked for R20,000.
- Shakeera Ganief testified that Kelly was enjoying the attention she received in the weeks after Joslin disappeared.
- Joslin's Grade 1 teacher said Kelly told her Joslin was on a boat on her way to West Africa.
Lombaard testifies Joslin was sold for R20,000
Briefly News also reported how state witness Lombaard testified that Kelly admitted that she sold Joslin for R20,000.
Lombaard made the revelation during her second day in the witness box in the trial into the disappearance of the girl on 14 March.
Lombaard detailed seeing Kelly interacting with a sangoma and receiving money from the person on the day Joslin went missing.
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Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
Byron Pillay (Current Affairs Editor) Byron Pillay is a Current Affairs Editor at Briefly News. He received a Diploma in Journalism from the Caxton Cadet School. He spent 15 years covering politics, crime and current affairs. He was also the Head of Department for Sports Brief, where he covered both local and international sporting news. Email: byron.pillay@briefly.co.za
Roxanne Dos Ramos (Proofreader) Roxanne Dos Ramos is a copy editor who began her career in financial information before transitioning into media. She holds an MSc in Geology from the University of Stellenbosch (2017). She has worked in editorial and language services teams at leading organizations such as Fitch Solutions, AlphaSights, and Cadence. With years of experience in quality control and team coordination, she specializes in content refinement, SEO implementation, and editorial management. Roxanne joined Briefly News in 2024 and has over five years of editorial experience. Email: roxanne.dos.ramos@briefly.co.za
