Joslin Smith Trial: Lourentia Lombaard Cracks Under Cross-Examination and Seemingly Changes Story

Joslin Smith Trial: Lourentia Lombaard Cracks Under Cross-Examination and Seemingly Changes Story

  • The state's witness, Lourentia Lombaard, appeared to change details from her initial statement during cross-examination
  • Lombaard took the stand on 19 March 2025 to face cross-examination by the defence teams of the accused
  • After facing intense questioning from Jacquin Appollis' lawyer, Lombaard altered her version of events before breaking down

Tebogo Mokwena, a current affairs writer for Briefly News, provided insights into the criminal justice system, crime statistics and high-profile cases in South Africa at Daily Sun.

Lourentia Lombaard broke down in tears during the cross-examination
Lourentia Lombaard lost her composure. Images: SABC News
Source: Youtube

SALDANHA BAY, WESTERN CAPE — State witness Lourentia Lombaard lost her composure when she was cross-examined during Joslin Smith's disappearance trial on 19 March 2025. This was after she appeared to change her story under intense scrutiny.

What happened to Lombaard?

Lombaard took the stand at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha Bay, Western Cape. Kelly Smith, her boyfriend Jacquin "Boeta" Appollis and Steveno van Rhyn are facing charges of kidnapping and human trafficking. They pleaded not guilty and have been in custody since their arrest in March 2024. Lombaard, however, turned state witness after the state found no evidence against her.

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When she originally testified during the trial's second week, she said that she went to Kelly's house on 18 February 2024. When she was there, she saw a detective's bakkie. A detective was questioning Boeta, which upset Kelly, who threatened to stab him to death. She said she was with her children when she witnessed the altercation.

Lombaard's story cracks

The defence asked her on numerous occasions where her children were. She clarified four times that the children were with her. She even mentioned in a statement she made to the police that she was with her children when she went to Kelly's house. Boeta's lawyer, Fanie Harmse, questioned why she needed to clarify that the children were with her. He emphasised that in her first statement, she did not mention the children. She insisted that they were with her.

Judge Nathan Erasmus asked Lombaard for more clarity, and she admitted that she made a mistake and that the children weren't with her. Erasmus pressed for an explanation as she mentioned in her testimony numerous times that her children were with her, but she was now changing her story. She tried to explain what she meant, but when she couldn't find the words she broke down and started crying. The proceedings were adjourned.

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Joslin Smith trial: Defence lawyer pokes holes in Lombaard’s testimony during cross-examination

With Renz expected to continue her testimony after the court returned from the adjournment at about 2pm, Erasmus said:

"The situation is as follows. I had a discussion with counsel in chambers, [during which] I was informed that the witness is at the facility on standby, coming to the court, receiving medical attention."
Lourentia Lombaard testified against Kelly Smith and Jacquin Appollis
Lourentia Lombaard (far right) testified in court. Image: Theo Jephta/Die Burger/Gallo Images via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

What you need to know about Lombaard's involvement

Read also

Joslin Smith: Witness testifies seeing Kelly drag Joslin into shack before her disappearance

Witness saw Kelly Smith drag Joslin into shack

In another article, Briefly News reported that a witness testified that she saw Kelly drag Joslin into her shack the night before she disappeared. She also said that she saw Kelly argue with whom she assumed was Boeta.

The witness, a neighbour, testified during the third week of the proceedings. South Africans slammed Kelly and many condemned her as a terrible parent.

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Proofreading by Roxanne Dos Ramos, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Tebogo Mokwena avatar

Tebogo Mokwena (Current Affairs editor) Tebogo Mokwena is a Current Affairs Editor at Briefly News. He has a Diploma in Journalism from ALISON. He joined Daily Sun, where he worked for 4 years covering politics, crime, entertainment, current affairs, policy, governance and art. He was also a sub-editor and journalist for Capricorn Post before joining Vutivi Business News in 2020, where he covered small business news policy and governance, analysis and profiles. He joined Briefly News in 2023. Tebogo passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative Email: tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za

Roxanne Dos Ramos avatar

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