Kelly’s Lawyer Claims State Witness Was The Mastermind Behind Joshlin Smith’s Disappearance

In a dramatic turn during the trial of Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, claimed that state witness Lourentia Lombaard

and her boyfriend, Ayanda Litoni, were the real masterminds behind the disappearance of Joshlin Smith.

The statement was made on Wednesday as Lombaard, a former co-accused turned state witness, took the stand at the Western Cape High Court, sitting at White City Multipurpose Centre, Diazville, Saldanha Bay.

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Kelly, along with her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis and their friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, are facing kidnapping and human trafficking charges in connection with Joshlin’s disappearance on February 19, 2024.

Inconsistent Testimony And Alleged Drug Use

Lombaard’s testimony, which was delivered after charges against her were dropped when she became a state witness, revealed significant inconsistencies.

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She claimed to have witnessed Kelly walk with Joshlin to a white VW Polo, where they met a sangoma (traditional healer).

Lombaard stated that Kelly received what she assumed was money from the sangoma, and later overheard Kelly and Boeta discussing a plan to sell Joshlin for R20,000.

Despite these claims, Lombaard admitted that she was under the influence of drugs at the time and was too scared to speak out sooner, explaining that she had withheld information from authorities until she finally gave a full statement in October 2024.

Sivnarain Suggests Lombaard And Litoni Are Trying To Protect Each Other

During cross-examination, Sivnarain questioned why Lombaard, who had heard about the money and plan to sell Joshlin, did not ask for her share.

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Lombaard admitted that she did not request any money, despite hearing Kelly speak about it.

Sivnarain suggested that Lombaard and her boyfriend Litoni were the true masterminds behind the crime, implying that Lombaard’s testimony was part of a strategy to protect Litoni, who had since left the area.

He stated, “She believes you are only doing so to save Ayanda.”

Judge Nathan Erasmus concluded the session by informing Lombaard that she would be called back to court at a later stage as the trial progresses.

With key testimonies still to be heard, the trial of Racquel Smith and her co-accused is expected to continue in the coming weeks.

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