Lawyer Cross Examines State Witness On Inconsistent Testimony In Joshlin Smith Kidnapping Case

The ongoing questioning of the state witness on the trial of Racquel ‘Kelly’ Smith, her boyfriend Jacquen ‘Boeta’ Appollis, and their friend Steveno ‘Steffie’ van Rhyn, who are facing kidnapping and human trafficking charges, took a dramatic turn this week.

The trio is accused of being involved in the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, a young girl who went missing from her Middelpos home in Saldanha Bay on February 19, 2024.

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During cross-examination, Kelly’s lawyer, Rinesh Sivnarain, focused on questioning the credibility of the state’s key witness, Lourentia Lombaard, particularly her failure to report the crime earlier.

Lombaard Admits Drug Use And Inconsistent Statements

Lombaard, a former accused turned state witness, made startling claims that Kelly had sold Joshlin to a sangoma (traditional healer) for R20,000 and promised her R1,000 in exchange for silence.

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Under questioning by Sivnarain, Lombaard acknowledged using drugs around the time of Joshlin’s disappearance.

She admitted to smoking tik with a friend on February 18, 2024, before later purchasing more drugs with money from her boyfriend, Ayanda Litoni.

Lombaard also confessed to smoking mandrax with Boeta and tik with Steveno after Joshlin’s disappearance.

Sivnarain seized on the inconsistencies in Lombaard’s testimony, pointing out that she had multiple opportunities to inform the police about Kelly’s involvement in the crime but failed to do so.

He said, “You had more than three opportunities to come clean and tell the truth.”

Lombaard maintained that fear and a promise of money kept her from speaking up earlier, but Sivnarain questioned why she waited until October 2024, when the investigating officer, Wesley Lombard, visited her in custody.

Witness’s Fear And Silence: Key Questions Remain Unanswered

Judge Nathan Erasmus also stated the missed chances Lombaard had to report the crime.

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The witness overheard Kelly discussing plans to take Joshlin away and was present when Kelly made a similar statement the morning before Joshlin disappeared.

Lombaard was also in contact with police when they visited her home the evening of Joshlin’s disappearance.

Yet, she did not come forward until months later, raising further questions about her credibility.

As the trial continues into the coming week, the defense remained focused on highlighting the key gaps in her statements.

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