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

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

Don't miss out! Join Briefly News Sports channel on WhatsApp now!

Lourencia Lombaard is accused of being the mastermind in the disappearance of Joslin Smith
Kelly Smith's lawyer has suggested that Lourencia Lombaard and her boyfriend were responsible for Joslin Smith's disappearance. Image: Jaco Marais
Source: Getty Images

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.

Read also

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

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 been heard at the Saldanha Bay Multipurpose Centre.

Kelly Smith and her lawyer Rinesh Sivnarain
Kelly Smith, through her lawyer Rinesh Sivnarain, claimed that Lourencia Lombaard and Ayanda Letoni were responsible for Joslin's disappearance. Image: Jaco Marais
Source: Getty Images

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.

Read also

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

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

Read also

Joslin Smith trial: Lourentia Lombaard says she and her boyfriend were tortured for 3 weeks

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.

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU - click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Byron Pillay avatar

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