Advocate Accuses Lombaard of Joslin Smith’s Disappearance, Claims She and Boyfriend Are Masterminds

• Rinesh Sivnarain suggested that Lourencia Lombaard and her boyfriend Ayanda Letoni were behind Joslin Smith's disappearance
• Under instruction from his client, Kelly Smith, Sivnarain said Lombaard was lying in her testimony just to save her own skin
• Lombaard maintained that she was innocent and that Kelly and Jacquin Appollis were responsible for Joslin's disappearance

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent ten years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

WESTERN CAPE – Are Lourencia Lombaard and her boyfriend, Ayanda Letoni, the masterminds behind the disappearance of Joslin Smith?

That’s the picture Kelly Smith’s lawyer, Advocate Rinesh Sivnarain, painted during cross-examination of the State’s star witness.

Lombaard, previously one of the accused in the matter, turned State witness and testified how Kelly confessed to her that she had sold Joslin to a sangoma for R20,000.

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Kelly Smith, Jacquin Boeta Appollis (Kelly’s boyfriend) and their friend Steveno Van Rhyn have been charged in connection with the disappearance of the little girl. The trial is being heard at the Saldanha Bay Multipurpose Centre.

Advocate alleges Lombaard involved in Joslin’s disappearance

During the final stretch of the cross-examination of Lombaard by Sivnarian, he put to her that she was the last person to be seen with Joslin on 19 February 2024, the day she went missing. This was on the instruction of his client, Kelly.

“I’m further instructed that she then came to your house that evening but did not find you there. She instructed me that it was only Ayanda with the children, and he could not explain your whereabouts,” Sivnarain said.

Lombaard denied these claims, saying Kelly was lying. The advocate then stated that Lombaard was only implicating Kelly to save her own skin.

“She believes that it was you and Ayanda who were the masterminds and who had committed this offence,” Sivnarain added.

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Joslin Smith trial: Judge Nathan Erasmus issues stern warning to state witness Lourentia Lombaard

Lombaard calmly stated that it wasn’t the truth and that it was Kelly and Boeta (Jacquin Appollis) who were responsible. Sivnarain isn't the first lawyer to make that assertion. Nobahle Mkabayi, Van Rhyn's advocate, also suggested that Letoni left the Saldanha Bay area because he was involved in the disappearance.

Lombaard maintains that her boyfriend left because the community were baying for their lives.

What you need to know about Lombaard's appearances in court

• The State's star witness claimed that the sangoma wanted Joslin for her eyes and skin.
• Defence lawyer Fanie Harmse poked holes in Lourentia Lombaard's testimony during cross-examination.
• Lombaard cracked under pressure after being caught altering her previous version of events.
• Cross-examination of Lombaard continued after she required medical treatment on 19 March.
• The State's key witness claimed that she and her boyfriend were tortured for three weeks.

Read also

Joslin Smith trial halted as Lombaard requires medical treatment, falls ill during cross-examination

Lombaard claims Kelly sold her daughter to sangoma

Briefly News reported on 13 March 2025 that Lombaard made a disturbing claim during her testimony.

The State's key witness claimed that Kelly confessed to her that she sold Joslin for R20,000.

Kelly allegedly told Lombaard that she sold the child because she was struggling and needed cash.

Source: Briefly News