In the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith from the Middelpos informal settlement in Diazville, Saldanha Bay, a new development has emerged. Lourencia “Renz” Lombaard, a resident of Middelpos, has been named as the fourth accused in the case, replacing the previously accused sangoma, Phumza Sigaqa.
Lombaard made a nervous appearance at the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on Monday, dressed in a powder-pink long-sleeve top.
She was charged with human trafficking and kidnapping in relation to the case. State prosecutor Jacques van Zyl revealed that Lombaard had made a confession prior to her arrest. She expressed her desire to apply for legal representation and requested a translator.
The court proceedings resulted in Lombaard’s case being postponed to 25 March for bail information. She will remain in custody until then. As Lombaard left the court, she was confronted by a group of Middelpos residents who implored her to “speak the truth.” In response, Lombaard simply stated, “I will.”
[WATCH] Fourth suspect, Loretta Lombard, arrested in connection with the disappearance of Joshlin Smith, makes her first appearance in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/yGcBeXGxwx
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 18, 2024
It has now been almost a month since Joshlin Smith, the young girl with striking green eyes, mysteriously vanished from the Middelpos informal settlement on 19 February.
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Renz Lombaard, aged 32, is said to be a friend and neighbour of Joshlin’s mother, Raquel “Kelly Smith.”
Both Lombaard and Kelly Smith, along with Kelly’s boyfriend, Jacquen “Boeta” Appollis, and another friend of the couple, Steveno van Rhyn, have been charged with human trafficking and kidnapping in connection with the case.
Senior advocate Aradhana Heeramun, representing the state, alleged last week that Kelly instructed Appollis and van Rhyn to sell Joshlin to another resident of Middelpos for R20,000, with the intention of using her for muti.
This alleged confession was made by the two men following a 36-hour interrogation at the Saldanha police station.
Last week, Kelly, Renz, and van Rhyn withdrew their bail applications, while the charges against Phumza Sigaqa were dropped due to a lack of evidence.
The trio is scheduled to appear in the Vredenburg Magistrate’s Court on 13 May. Kelly and Renz are currently being held at Cape Town’s Pollsmoor Prison, while Appollis and van Rhyn are in custody at Malmesbury Correctional Services.
Shortly after Joshlin’s disappearance, van Rhyn recounted in a TikTok interview with Patriotic Alliance (PA) leader Gayton McKenzie that he, Appollis, and a woman identified as Renz smoked some mandrax together before Kelly returned from work.
Van Rhyn claimed that Renz asked Joshlin to check on another child sleeping in a separate dwelling, and both Renz and Joshlin were never seen again.
@bringjoslinhome My heart is breaking even more.. But im here to keep the upsates going foe you guys😟🙏🏻 #joslinsmith #investigation #bringherhome ♬ original sound – new user
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The investigation into the disappearance of Joshlin Smith continues, with the identification of Lourencia “Renz” Lombaard as the fourth accused bringing new focus to the case. As the accused individuals face legal proceedings, the community of Middelpos anxiously awaits answers and justice for Joshlin.
The court appearance of Lombaard has shed some light on the case, but many questions still remain unanswered. The upcoming bail hearing on 25 March will provide further insight into the charges against Lombaard and her potential involvement in the alleged human trafficking and kidnapping of Joshlin Smith.
